Student Congress took an overwhelming stance, 36–6, against concealed carry on campus Tuesday night.

SC held an official vote on behalf of the student body to decide what position UTA would take on carrying concealed guns on campus.

The vote is in response to three bills currently in the Texas legislature that would allow licensed holders to carry on campus.

According to the bill’s author, Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, 81 of 150 Texas House members have already signed on as co-authors to House Bill 750.

The floor opened for discussion 45 minutes before congress made a private vote. Senators were allowed two minutes a piece to speak, and all remarks were solely made to SC President Aaron Resendez.

Resendez said he is going to the UT System Student Advisory Council Friday to inform them on the campus’ stance.

Once legislation allows, he said the executive board will go to Austin to speak with legislators.

Some senators did not approve of congress members making last minute pleas to the floor.

“Why are they providing arguments,” Engineering senator Sam Nahhas said. “Shouldn’t they have their opinion based off of their constituents?”

Resendez said student senators knew how they were going to vote and the purpose of the open floor was to share concerns with fellow congress members.

In January, SC opened its first meeting mandating senators to participate in an open forum that would present an overview of HB 750 in preparation for the vote.

A four-member panel discussed issues surrounding concealed carry Thursday at the University Center Rosebud Theatre.

Undeclared sophomore Jon Snow said he was pleased with the information congress provided students.

“A lot of students think having a gun on campus will stop a massacre, but all guns do are ramp up violence,” he said.

SC vice president Annie Liu said members received a lot of threats pushing for concealed carry to be permitted on campus.

The UTA Police Department was not available for comment after the meeting.

Chemistry junior Matthew West said he decided to attend the meeting because he didn’t think the senators provided enough information to constituents.

“If you do not have knowledge, you will live in fear,” West said.

West said the forum didn’t represent enough history and statistics on concealed carry and was biased.

Business senator Troy Maikowski said a majority of his constituents said they would purchase a gun if concealed handguns were permitted on campus, even if they were against them.

Resendez said if enough campuses take a stance against concealed carry, the legislature would have to take it into consideration.

“It is our job to communicate our message to the Texas legislature since we oppose it,” he said.