...What has pushed the university to take this seemingly unreasonable stand [in attempting -- unsuccessfully -- to ban guns from campus] is the Legislature's romance with the dangerous idea that any citizen who doesn't have a criminal record should be able to get a permit to carry a loaded, concealed gun almost anywhere he or she wishes.

All that is necessary is a single gun-safety class, a background check and a nominal fee.

This runs afoul of a policy the U. has had for many years that students and staff could not bring guns to campus without special permission from the police chief. The Legislature has pressed the issue, passing a law in 2004 prohibiting state agencies or local governments from enacting rules that limit firearms possession on public or private property.

The U. has argued convincingly that its gun policy has worked well. It makes sense that if people are going to engage in uninhibited debates, as academic freedom demands, that the U. does not wish to open the door to intimidation or accidents by people carrying guns.

The U. must be subject to the Legislature and its laws. It is a pity, though, that in this case, the law is on the wrong side of public safety and common sense.