UNH President Warns Campus Carry Bill Risks Top‑10 Safety Ranking

**TL;DR** UNH President Elizabeth Chilton warns the Campus Carry Bill threatens the university’s top‑10 safety ranking, noting a student survey where 85.9% say they’d be less likely to enroll if the bill passes. The legislation, now before the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee, would bar UNH from restricting firearms on campus.

Context: Earlier this month Chilton, Plymouth University President Don Birx, and UNH Police Chief Mark Collopy testified against HB 1793 before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Chilton’s follow‑up message to students marks her first direct written comment on the bill. She emphasized that keeping USNH campuses among the nation’s safest is a top priority and that the legislation would work against that goal.

Key Facts: Chilton stated that maintaining campus safety is a top priority and that the Campus Carry Bill would undermine that effort. A UNH Student Senate survey of 2,361 students found 85.9% would be less likely to attend the university if the bill passes. UNH is consistently ranked among the top 10 safest college campuses in the United States.

What It Means: The survey result suggests a substantial risk to enrollment should the bill become law, potentially affecting tuition revenue and campus diversity. Chilton’s argument links perceived safety to institutional reputation, noting that rankings influence prospective students and parents. The testimony also cited research from states with campus carry laws showing increased fear of crime and lower confidence in campus police.

What It Means: If the bill advances, UNH may face pressure to reassess its safety policies or consider legal challenges to preserve its safety ranking. The university’s administration will likely continue to advocate for local control over firearm regulations on campus.

Watch next: The Senate Judiciary Committee’s upcoming vote on HB 1793 and any amendments that could address campus safety concerns.