Students shouldn't be allowed to carry concealed weapons on the university campus.
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Views
Universities have long been considered the pinnacle of expressing one's rights. Whether it is free speech, protest or religion, students passionately expressing their rights have become highly romanticized. Now the Texas legislature wishes to add one more: the right to bear arms on campus.
The Texas House is currently holding in committee the bill to allow concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education. If passed, a licensed (gun) holder may carry a concealed handgun on his or her person while on a public university campus by September 2009.
The bill, already amended from its original version, states that a person does commit an offense, however, if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly possesses or goes with a weapon on the physical premises of an educational institution (emphasis added).
But, even though this amendment stands, don't students have enough worries as it is? This legislation could promote violence, rather than curb it. If someone comes to campus with the intent to harm others through gun violence, a licensed gun holder could then pull out his or her gun and use it in defense. But where is the justification in that?
Why add to the worry of wondering if the girl or guy sitting in a neighboring desk has a gun that could potentially kill, even if that shooting happens by accident?
In passing this bill, there lies the danger of having a 'licensed' gun holder who has had insufficient training. The university police are trained to protect and defend the students on this campus.
If a reckless, violent shooting happened, through technologies and the training police have been given, they would insure the safety of each student to the best of their ability. With allowing licensed holders to carry guns, the situation could potentially get more out of hand and difficult to manage.
There's a place for handguns and that's called a firing range or within the confines of one's own home.
University campuses, places where individuals become educated are not places for weapons of any kind.
The legislature will listen, and listen more so to students; the voice that is staying silent.
Students need to address this issue, regardless of their opinion. They should become active in student government, stop focusing on frivolous matters that many times consumes the SGA table and create a student stance to present this important matter to the Texas legislature. If this step does not work, students should not sit by and simply wait for "what happens," yet treat the democracy this country and state subscribe to and live in, as what it is: a democracy.
Students should actively contact representatives and give them a true student voice as well as voice concerns regarding this bill.
The Ram Page Editorial Board voted 7-0 in opposition to the bill that would allow students to carry concealed handguns on the university campus.
The Texas House is currently holding in committee the bill to allow concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education. If passed, a licensed (gun) holder may carry a concealed handgun on his or her person while on a public university campus by September 2009.
The bill, already amended from its original version, states that a person does commit an offense, however, if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly possesses or goes with a weapon on the physical premises of an educational institution (emphasis added).
But, even though this amendment stands, don't students have enough worries as it is? This legislation could promote violence, rather than curb it. If someone comes to campus with the intent to harm others through gun violence, a licensed gun holder could then pull out his or her gun and use it in defense. But where is the justification in that?
Why add to the worry of wondering if the girl or guy sitting in a neighboring desk has a gun that could potentially kill, even if that shooting happens by accident?
In passing this bill, there lies the danger of having a 'licensed' gun holder who has had insufficient training. The university police are trained to protect and defend the students on this campus.
If a reckless, violent shooting happened, through technologies and the training police have been given, they would insure the safety of each student to the best of their ability. With allowing licensed holders to carry guns, the situation could potentially get more out of hand and difficult to manage.
There's a place for handguns and that's called a firing range or within the confines of one's own home.
University campuses, places where individuals become educated are not places for weapons of any kind.
The legislature will listen, and listen more so to students; the voice that is staying silent.
Students need to address this issue, regardless of their opinion. They should become active in student government, stop focusing on frivolous matters that many times consumes the SGA table and create a student stance to present this important matter to the Texas legislature. If this step does not work, students should not sit by and simply wait for "what happens," yet treat the democracy this country and state subscribe to and live in, as what it is: a democracy.
Students should actively contact representatives and give them a true student voice as well as voice concerns regarding this bill.
The Ram Page Editorial Board voted 7-0 in opposition to the bill that would allow students to carry concealed handguns on the university campus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Glenn Anderson
posted 5/14/09 @ 8:59 AM CST
Technology and trained staff will not impede a random intent a random actor intent on doing harm. Those existed at Virginia Tech. The random actors seek to do harm through the path that will guarantee success. (Continued…)
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