A couple of years ago, gun rights advocates in Indiana pushed for a law to allow Hoosiers to take guns to work.

The law passed with a few limitations on where guns could be brought.

Now, there’s a new effort, one that would allow students to carry guns on public college campuses. A Republican state senator introduced the bill believing it would make campuses safer for
students, but not everyone thinks so.

Lupe Valtierra recently retired as chancellor at Ivy Tech Community College in Northwest
Indiana.  I think first and foremost the safety on any college campus has to be the most critical element that we consider,” Valtierra told WBEZ. “Having firearms on campus that are hidden, that would cause me great concern.”

A handful of Republican state senators are pushing to expand access to guns this session.

Sen. Jim Banks of Columbia City near Fort Wayne is sponsor of the bill.

The measure faces little chance of success in the Indiana General Assembly this year. But Banks said Tuesday that lawmakers should still have an open and wide-ranging discussion about guns.

The proposals go up against a national push for more gun control following the Newtown school shooting. Members of Indiana’s Black Legislative Caucus said Tuesday that they would support any national effort to reduce gun violence and are ready to support new federal limits.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.