HARRISBURG — A proposed new weapons policy for State System of Higher Education universities, including Slippery Rock University, does not have a lot of support.

The policy would prohibit the possession of “deadly or offensive weapons” in “sensitive areas” of campuses, including residence halls, student union buildings, dining halls and other indoor and outdoor locations, including sports venues.

However, it would not ban weapons from open spaces on university property.

Exempt from the policy would be campus police officers, municipal, state and federal officers, and U.S. military personnel in doing their duties.

Public comments made at a public panel Thursday opposed the policy.

Steve Hicks, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, said his group is concerned about weapons being allowed in areas that are not deemed “sensitive.”

“The policy would create a chilling effect ... on the classroom environment,” Hicks said.

He said the schools often host children, and that weapons would not be a good addition to the binge drinking and drug use that can occur in students’ lives.

He said that the best policy would ban all weapons from campuses, except for those carried by police, security and military personnel.

Ken Mash, vice president of APSCUF, agreed with Hicks.

“The policy, as far as we can tell, has the support of no constituency on campuses,” Mash said, noting that the policy also is vague.

Justin Aman, president of the student government association at East Stroudsburg University, said that the policy raises more questions than answers

“The safety of our students should be the number one priority,” Aman said.

He is concerned that the policy is unenforceable. If people with permits are allowed to walk outside with weapons, he wondered who would stop them from going into the buildings. He asked if the state system would be willing to pay for extra security or metal detectors to help keep weapons from buildings.

Before the live testimony, state system Executive Vice Chancellor Peter Garland read testimony, including from John T. Lee, president of the Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association, the state’s National Rifle Association affiliate.

Lee wrote that it appears that the state system is trying to create gun-free zones, which he said, research indicates is counter to effective public safety policy. He also wrote that the policy would be detrimental to the rights of gun owners.

Garland also read a list of anonymous comments and questions about the policy, which were divided between people who are concerned that the policy would not prevent gun violence and people who are concerned that the policy would violate the rights of gun owners.

The proposed policy came from a public safety task force formed in April.

In 2012, the state system recommended its schools begin to revise their weapons policies after the Legislature passed the castle doctrine, a 2011 law which allows the use of deadly force in self-defense situations.

Universities are able to prohibit weapons in buildings and other facilities, as well as during events on school property. However, state system policies have to be consistent with state laws, which allow people with permits to carry firearms.

Before this, many campuses, including SRU, had policies banning weapons on campus.

In 2012, SRU passed a new weapons policy very similar to the one the state system is proposing.

There is no timeline for the implementation for this policy or any other weapons policy.

State system Chancellor Frank Brogan said that although there was hope to vote on the policy at the state system board of governor’s meeting Jan. 23, it is the system’s responsibility to continue to look at the legality of the issue. He said more information is needed before any weapons policy is enacted.

“Our commitment is to continue to look at this issue and be open and honest,” Brogan said.

Garland said additional time will allow officials “to craft what is necessary and in the best interests of our universities.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.