That amendment would best be tied to a bill for funding or tax exemptions to state universities, thus adding incentive for the universities to relinquish a limited portion of their ability to regulate student conduct. This provision would leave intact all the provisions under the Revised Code which grant a special status to colleges and universities regarding the possession and carry of firearms. All it would do is prevent state universities from promulgating rules to punish students for the same conduct which is lawful for non-students. Some will say that nothing short of full-fledged campus concealed carry is acceptable. They can kiss my ... Those people know that is not currently feasible, and this amendment would give us a foot in the door, as well as accomplishing more than any lawsuit can. I have already emailed this proposal to my state representative.3345.21
The board of trustees of any college or university which receives any state funds in support thereof, shall regulate the use of the grounds, buildings, equipment, and facilities of such college or university and the conduct of the students, staff, faculty, and visitors to the campus so that law and order are maintained and the college or university may pursue its educational objectives and programs in an orderly manner. The board of trustees of each such college or university shall adopt rules for the conduct of the students, faculty, visitors, and staff, and may provide for the ejection from college or university property, suspension or expulsion of a person who violates such regulations. All such rules shall be published in a manner reasonably designed to come to the attention of, and be available to, all faculty, staff, visitors, and students. The board of trustees shall provide for the administration and enforcement of its rules and may authorize the use of state university law enforcement officers provided for in section 3345.04 of the Revised Code to assist in enforcing the rules and the law on the campus of the college or university. The board of trustees, or appropriate officials of such college or university when the authority to do so has been delegated by the board of trustees, may seek the assistance of other appropriate law enforcement officers to enforce the rules and to enforce laws for the preservation of good order on the campus, and to prevent the disruption of the educational functions of the college or university. The rules of the board of trustees shall not restrict freedom of speech nor the right of persons on the campus to assemble peacefully, nor the right of persons on campus to keep and bear arms.
There is likely to be pushback, and one Chicken Little narrative is likely to be that it would open the door to students carrying bowie knives, machetes, swords, battle axes, and all sorts of scary weapons. Fine. Then change the wording to something a bit longer, which mirrors R.C. 9.68: "nor the right of persons on campus to own, possess, purchase, sell, transfer, transport, store, or keep any firearm, part of a firearm, its components, and its ammunition." That would neatly remove from the universities the ability to claim "state law" for any rule of student conduct which is contrary to the protections of R.C. 9.68.
And if the Ohio General Assembly is too timid to go up against the behemoth of The Ohio State University, then maybe it's time for another open carry event at the Statehouse. I'm not talking the annual Patriot's Day celebration, but an event with a cause. And imagine how convenient it will be to enlist students from Ohio State University, not only those who are old enough the carry a concealed handgun, but all those over 18 years of age, who can bring their old single-shot .22 rimfires from home and walk with the rest of us.