Those with concealed handgun permits could bring their guns into bars and restaurants under the measure. It would also allow permit holders to lock their weapons in cars parked on college campuses and state government property.

In a meeting with reporters Monday, UNC President Tom Ross said closing university campuses would be a bad idea "for lots of reasons."

Meetings with N.C. State University and other educational institutions were a key part of recruiting insurance giant MetLife to North Carolina.

Senate leader Phil Berger said this year's budget will not do away with a UNC system campus. A senior budget writer raised that possibility earlier this year.