HPU Firearm Policy

Effective August 10, 2016, Texas Senate Bill 11 became law. The bill allows private universities to opt out, not allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their handguns on the campus. Howard Payne University has opted out. Therefore, it is a criminal violation for a license holder to carry his or her handgun on the Howard Payne campus, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by the institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle owned or leased by the university. Note: The open carry of handguns (or other firearms) on a Texas college campus continues to be prohibited by state law.

Howard Payne University prohibits all employees, students and visitors from illegally carrying any firearms, handguns, knives, pellet guns, BB guns, electroshock weapons, guns that fire plastic projectiles of any type, and fireworks in or on university property or at a university-sponsored activity or event. Under no circumstance is a university student permitted to possess a firearm on university property or at a university-sponsored activity or event.