Tag Archives: Keep guns off campus

10.22.13
by

Students and concealed Weapons on Campus.

azfamily.com

The 2nd amendment is one of the many sticky situations in Constitutional Law.

The phrase, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” has caused many head aches for legal scholars, judges and law-makers everywhere. Should we look at the term “militia” as an original intent to mean the general public? Or should it be considered what the term might mean today as the national guard? Does the wording of the amendment suggest background checks are unconstitutional? Should past convicts with history of violence be allowed to still purchase firearms? Should those who are mentally disabled be prohibited from gun ownership? If so, what then qualifies as being “mentally disabled”.

The problem is evident. Even worse, current events like the Sandy Hook Shooting has caused a strong divide between the pro and anti-gun groups, making the second amendment a massive area for debate.

But while the conversation about gun ownership usually revolves around adults, recently there has been talk about the rights of student gun rights while on their college campuses. Currently, in Austin, Texas,  home of the University of Texas , law-makers are pushing for a stature to allow their students to bring guns to campus on the basis of self-defense. Local Texas news station, KEYETV reported the story.

According to a graph created by anti-gun group, Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus, states vary with second amendment attitudes.   Currently, two states—Utah and Colorado—allow concealed carry laws on college campuses by law. Six states—Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Nebraska,Minnesota, and North Carolina–allow concealed guns only in  locked cars in parking lots. Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas and Wisconsin, all allow concealed carry laws but schools can limit locations, and who carries. Finally from, the remaining 38, states 16 specifically prohibit guns on campus, while 22 (including Arizona) allow schools to make their own decisions.

Arizona State University has chosen to opt-out of allowing guns on campus, standing in University housing handbook, 

The university Student Code of Conduct prohibits explosives (including fireworks), firearms, black or smokeless powder ammunition, and/or weapons of any type in the residence halls, resident rooms, or campus grounds. Possession of firearms, weapons, and/or ammunition in the residence halls could be grounds for the immediate termination of the Residence Hall License Agreement.

Because this issue is so polarizing, I have split the two camps into separate sections with their arguments…allowing you to make the decision.

PRO STUDENT GUN  ARGUMENTS 

  1. Those who support student gun rights on campus, argue that less guns means less crime.  According to pro-gun and student run organization, Students for Concealed Carry, college campuses aren’t sheltered nor particularly safe areas.  This graph on their website, (below) shows the crime by type through the years 2005-2007. Assault and Rape are some of the most common.  Students for Concealed Carry argue allowing students to carry guns on campus would lower these statistics by promoting  self-defense, especially for college women.
  2. Prevention. Advocates also argue in addition to creating safer campuses, it would also deter gun crimes in the future.  The Virginia Tech shooter might have not gone on his deadly spree if he knew several other armed students could immediately stop him. A young woman walking back from campus at night who could not physically over come a rapist, would be able to defend herself with a gun—causing any sexual criminal to think twice.
  3. Finally, those of argue there is no evidence that allowing guns has caused any problems in the past with schools who do allow concealed carry:

“After allowing concealed carry on campus for a combined total of one hundred semesters, none of these twelve schools has seen a single resulting incident of gun violence (including threats and suicides), a single gun accident, or a single gun theft”

Additionally, they argue, studies have shown that students who carry guns won’t dangerously “snap”. They cite studies done by University of Maryland senior research scientist John Lott, University of Georgia professor, David Mustard, and various state agencies, that show that concealed handgun license holders are 5 times less likely than non-license holders to commit violent crimes.

ANTI STUDENT GUN ARGUMENTS

  1. Those who oppose guns on college campuses argue that a college environment is very different than one in the real world. Campaign to  Keep Guns Off Campus sites in a study called “Why our campuses are safer without guns” that there are many factors which make Universities vulnerable situations. Students are often in very structured areas, like a dorm or a class room, and are somewhat sheltered to many crimes upon campus. College students also notoriously misuse alcohol through binge drinking, creating a deadly combination if  guns were thrown into the equation.
  2. Second, they argue campuses are already protected by campus police, who have been thoroughly trained in handling guns. Those who have a concealed carry license don’t necessarily have to go through the process of safety training, and therefore, could not understand how to handle the gun properly, hurting themselves and others.

  3. campus police

    ASU campus police, State Press Online

  4. College campuses are often equipped with other safety mechanisms to keep their students safe. These measures include safety hotlines, campus police stations, emergency polls, and security cameras to ensure crimes are kept low, and students safe.

What do you think? Should colleges allow their students to carry guns on campus? Comment below!

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