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A northeast Missouri lawmakers believes allowing guns on state-funded campuses is the right thing to do.

KHQA's Jarod Wells talked with Brian Munzlinger of Missouri's first district about his idea.

It's against the law for students here at Truman State University to carry firearms because of Missouri's concealed carry law. But northeast Missouri Representative Brian Munzlinger wants to change that.

"My bill or my amendment to the bill just brackets out the educational institutions of higher education," said Munzlinger, "those are publicly-funded only. It only applies to the publicly-funded ones. It allows those adults of 21 years or older that have gone through the proper training to carry on college campuses."

Representative Munzlinger says opponents to his amendment have concerns about guns on campus...such as firearms getting into the wrong hands, or brought into situations where there is alcohol.

"When you go through your training for your concealed carry permit," said Munzlinger, "they go through the safety precautions of what you need to do. You are responsible and you do take on a great responsibility when you get your concealed carry permit. You are responsible for that firearm."

Munzlinger also says laws already on the books restrict the use of alcohol and guns. Despite these concerns, Munzlinger feels allowing concealed firearms on campus could make a difference.

"Well, I think the positives could be you could avert a major catastrophe like we've seen happen in gun-free zones across the country," said Munzlinger.  "Gun control has never worked wherever it's tried to be implemented. And terrorists and others who look around the country and other countries, they always target gun-free zones because their jobs are easier there."

This amendment needs one more vote to get through the Missouri house. Representative Munzlinger told me he's confident he'll get that vote to move his proposal to the state senate.

KHQA heard from Truman State University Director of Public Safety Tom Johnson.

He said there is no clear cut answer on what this bill would accomplish.

"It's going to be kind of difficult to figure out what it means for us at this time," said Johnson.  "Theres two schools of thought out there, people will be able to have access to defend themselves, but then theres the possibility of more weapons on a college campus. It's not always a comparable thing in my mind"

Munzlinger says if this bill can get to the governor soon it may be ready to be implemented for the start of next school year.