State lawmakers and gun lobbyists are poised for another round in the fight over where Tennessee’s gun-owners can carry their weapons. Top officials in higher education are watching, and expect state colleges will be part of the fray.

Gun interests hope to expand their clout in the capitol this fall. In this month’s primary a candidate backed by the National Rifle Association unseated a powerful Republican who helped stall a key gun bill.

“It’s got to be an issue that will come up again.”

John Morgan heads the Tennessee Board of Regents. In the past, leaders from TBR and the University of Tennessee system together battled efforts to allow more guns on campus.

“It made sense to us to be part of a larger group that was opposed to it, and I suspect that larger group will continue to be opposed to it. Now what we end up needing to do as a matter of strategy, it’s much too early to say that.”

Supporters of broader gun rights argue if the right person is armed when violence starts, they could fight back and maybe save lives. Morgan argues there’s no guarantee though, saying overall he doubts more armed people would make things safer.