GOP guns on campus bill could kill nuclear research at Idaho State University

By Michael Strickland

Idaho State University could lose its license to conduct nuclear research from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

That would be the case if a bill to allow (for those with enhanced concealed weapons permits and retired law enforcement personnel)  guns on college campuses becomes law, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter said.

The Idaho State Journal reported that Otter made the comments Friday to about 30 people attending a meeting with ISU’s College Republicans.

Otter said ISU President Arthur Vailas told him Thursday that the commission has a zero-tolerance policy regarding weapons at licensed nuclear research facilities, putting the school’s nuclear research efforts at risk if the bill becomes law.

“I had never heard that before,” Otter said.