Five of Idaho’s universities and community colleges have spent more than $1.5 million to beef up campus security because of the concealed-weapons-on-campus law approved last year, the Idaho Statesman reports, and the schools expect total costs to top $3.7 million for the year. They sought additional funding this winter to offset their costs in the current budget year, which began July 1. But Gov. Butch Otter did not recommend the funding; now the schools likely will have to absorb the costs within their existing budgets.

The schools, including BSU, ISU, U of I, CWI and NIC, say they have had to add new staff, provide training and purchase new equipment, after lawmakers passed a law last year allowing people holding enhanced concealed-carry permits to carry concealed guns on public college campuses, but restricting the guns from dorms or arenas. All of the state’s public colleges and universities, and the state Board of Education, opposed the bill; it took effect July 1. The Statesman’s full report is online here from reporter Bill Dentzer.