Krysten Apostoles-Theroux

Dear Members of the House Education Committee, I am writing to respectfully urge you to OPPOSE HB 1793, which would prohibit public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of firearms on campus. As someone who was in high school when Columbine happened, I witnessed firsthand the beginning of a tragic and enduring chapter in our country’s history. Now, as a parent whose son will soon be graduating from college, I am struck by how long this issue has persisted—and how urgently we need to prevent additional risk in the very places young people go to learn, grow, and build their futures. This has gone on for too long. Allowing firearms on New Hampshire’s public campuses would pose a serious and unnecessary danger to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Campus environments are uniquely complex—densely populated, high-stress, and often supporting young adults who are still developing judgment. Campus police are specifically trained to manage these settings, and the policies currently in place exist to safeguard everyone. The University of New Hampshire has expressed deep concern regarding HB 1793. UNH spokesperson Lisa Thorne stated: “As presented, HB 1793 would undermine current policies which prohibit firearms on campus. We are deeply worried about the impact of adding armed civilians to our campus communities when our campus police officers face life or death decisions to protect the safety of all.” This bill would strip institutions of their ability to set appropriate firearm policies based on their expertise and the needs of their communities. It would increase the risk of tragic accidents, complicate emergency responses, and create unsafe conditions for campus police who must make split-second decisions during critical incidents. Public colleges and universities must be able to regulate firearms to maintain safe, supportive, and stable learning environments. For these reasons, and as both a community member and a parent, I strongly urge you to vote NO on HB 1793. Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to protecting New Hampshire’s students and educators. Sincerely, Krysten E. Apostoles-Theroux