The Board of Regents today is considering giving campus police officers the authority to carry fire arms. The presidents of the three state-supported universities back the move, and Governor Culver is backing it, too.
"I support the presidents when it comes to the arming of the campus security guards," Culver told reporters in a telephone conference call mid-day Tuesday. Culver says it’s important to take steps to ensure the security of Iowans, wherever they live.
"Unfortunately horrific acts like the one at Virginia Tech can take place and I believe we have a responsibility in a very thoughtful way, after collecting a lot of information and asking a lot of questions, to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of Iowans whether they’re on a campus or living in Des Moines," Culver says.
In addition to the issue of arming campus cops, state troopers have been asking legislators for the authority to upgrade from shotguns to rifles, but Culver has not said whether he backs that move.