Rhode Island Proposes Arming Campus Police at Public Colleges

Legislation would mandate public universities to equip officers with firearms, sparking debate over campus safety

Feb. 4, 2026 at 10:31pm

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Following a mass shooting at Brown University, Rhode Island state legislators have introduced a bill that would require public colleges and universities in the state to arm their campus police officers. While some argue this is necessary to improve response times and protect students, critics warn that the presence of guns on campuses could lead to more harm than good.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation highlights the ongoing debate around campus safety and the role of armed law enforcement. Proponents believe arming campus police is crucial to prevent and respond to active shooter situations, while opponents argue it could increase the risk of accidents, misunderstandings, and police misconduct on college campuses.

The details

The bill, introduced by State Sen. Peter Appollonio Jr. and State Rep. William O'Brien, would mandate that all public colleges and universities in Rhode Island equip their campus police officers with firearms. Currently, the University of Rhode Island is the only public institution in the state that arms its campus police, while the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College do not. Private colleges like Brown University also have the option to arm their officers, and Brown is the only private school in the state that chooses to do so.

  • The legislation was introduced in February 2026, following a mass shooting at Brown University on December 13.
  • Similar legislation was first introduced by Rep. O'Brien in the 2019 legislative session and has been reintroduced several times since then.

The players

Peter Appollonio Jr.

A Democratic state senator from Warwick, Rhode Island, and the sponsor of the legislation to arm campus police.

William O'Brien

A Democratic state representative from North Providence, Rhode Island, who has introduced similar legislation to arm campus police multiple times since 2019.

Steven Brown

The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, who has criticized the legislation and warned of the dangers of introducing firearms to college campuses.

Keith Paul

The chief marketing officer of the Community College of Rhode Island, which currently does not arm its campus police officers.

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What they’re saying

“The shooting at Brown University makes it clear that Rhode Island's schools are not immune to the terrible tragedies occurring far too frequently throughout our country. While I pray that such a terrible situation does not occur again in our state, we must equip our campus police officers with the tools they need to protect innocents if evil once again attacks one of our schools.”

— Peter Appollonio Jr., State Senator

“Our campuses need a faster response (to active shootings) and the only solution is armed campus cops.”

— William O'Brien, State Representative

“We have opposed this legislation for a number of years. There is a tremendous danger inherent in promoting the presence of guns on college campuses. Introducing weapons to college campuses brings with it the very real danger of accidental discharges and tragic cases of misunderstandings and misidentifications.”

— Steven Brown, Executive Director, ACLU of Rhode Island

What’s next

The proposed legislation will now go through the state legislative process, with lawmakers debating the merits and potential consequences of arming campus police officers.

The takeaway

This debate over arming campus police highlights the complex and often divisive issue of balancing campus safety with concerns over the potential risks and unintended consequences of introducing firearms to college environments. As lawmakers and stakeholders weigh the pros and cons, the outcome of this legislation could have significant implications for public higher education in Rhode Island.