Haslam: Excluding campuses key to gun law deal

By ERIK SCHELZIG
Associated Press

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says the exclusion of college campuses is key to an agreement on a bill to allow employees to store their firearms in vehicles parked at work.

The governor told reporters after a speech to a Nashville Republican group on Tuesday that he expects lawmakers to craft a compromise on the measure that was the subject of much discord earlier this year.

The business lobby opposed the measure backed by the National Rifle Association on the basis that it intrudes on their property rights. Gun advocates argue that banning guns in company lots effectively prevents workers from being armed during their commute.

Haslam said his administration won't take a lead on the issue but said it will fight to keep educational institutions out of the final version.

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