<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:14pt"><br><div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="y_msg_container"><br>I do not intend to excuse Otter for signing the bill, but he probably felt he had no choice. He is facing competition from an even more radical right wing opponent in the upcoming primary. Had he vetoed this bill, it would have given fodder to the extremists which might cause disillusion among the rank and file republicans. <br>However, as I argued in a letter to the governor, his veto would signify that he was his own man, capable of bucking out-of-state pressure groups, and that a veto of this very contentious, and more
than likely dangerous bill, would have won him lots of ground among more main steam and moderate citizens...maybe even college administrators, workers, students, parents of students, police, and state workers.<br>But of course, he signed it. Why? Because he is a coward who is not willing to step up and be a "real man." <br><br>Idaho governor signs campus gun bill into law<br>BY KATIE TERHUNE<br>Associated PressMarch 12, 2014 <br><br>Read more here: <a href="http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/03/12/3076774/idaho-governor-signs-campus-gun.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/03/12/3076774/idaho-governor-signs-campus-gun.html#storylink=cpy</a><br>BOISE, IDAHO ? Students, staff and visitors are now cleared to bring concealed guns onto Idaho's college and university campuses.<br><br>Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed the bill into law Wednesday.<br><br>It allows retired law enforcement and concealed-carry permit holders bring
guns into classrooms and anywhere else on campus ? except dormitories and stadiums.<br><br>The proposal drew heated criticism from heads of all eight of the state's public colleges and sparked a protest that drew hundreds to the Capitol.<br><br>Opponents say it will strip policy-making power from universities, stymie recruitment efforts and put those on campus at risk.<br><br>Otter wrote in a statement he backed the bill to protect Second Amendment rights.<br><br>He says Idaho will carefully monitor the situation to alleviate public safety concerns.<br><br>The new law goes into effect July 1.<br><br><br>Read more here: <a href="http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/03/12/3076774/idaho-governor-signs-campus-gun.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/03/12/3076774/idaho-governor-signs-campus-gun.html#storylink=cpy</a><br><br><br></div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>