Black River Technical College opts out of gun law

POCAHONTAS — Black River Technical College is joining the list of Arkansas schools that won't allow concealed guns on campus.

The school's board of trustees voted last week to opt out of the new state law. Board chairman John Jackson Jr. told the Paragould Daily Press that the trustees had several questions about the law and decided not to change the college's policy banning weapons.

Black River Technical College has about 3,000 students with campuses in Pocahontas and Paragould.

The Arkansas Legislature approved a law this year allowing faculty and staff with concealed-carry permits to take the weapons on campus. Colleges and universities are allowed to opt out of the law.

Both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University systems are opting out of the law as well.

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