Allowing handguns on campus is a bad idea
Cartoon created by The Signal Managing Editor Dave Silverio.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
What’s that?
The classroom goes quiet, the students look startled, they are terrified, shaking in their boots as they begin to duck for cover.
Your classmate pulls out his revolver at the sound of shots fired. He is about to take matters into his own hands and protect everyone from the gunman whom he sees running down the hallway, toward the classroom, peeping into each room. He gets a good aim and BAM! He shoots the gunman dead… but the person he shot is not the gunman!
The alleged “gunman” was actually another student who was trying to do the same thing, protect his fellow classmates.
As of Aug. 1, 2016, it will be legal to carry a concealed handgun on public university campuses in the state of Texas.
Handguns on campus! Who came up with this brilliant idea?
Give thanks to our wonderful lawmakers and the gun lobbyists for applying the necessary pressure to make this a reality. A victory some might say, but this pow, pow, gun smoke mentality is not the direction we need to be headed.
When Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill allowing concealed handguns on public university campuses May 31, it was a great accomplishment for the proponents of this new law, but a sad day for opponents such as leaders of many top universities, parents of college students, gun control activists, university law enforcement and other community members.
There are many reasons why handguns should not be allowed on campuses. Guns on campus could distract from the learning environment. A dangerous person might wrestle a gun away from someone carrying a gun and used it to cause harm. A gun can accidentally go off in a class, striking and killing another student. These weapons can be in the hands of people with mental issues, or a person with a vendetta against a student or even a professor. A person with a gun could possibly go off the deep end and go on a killing spree. How are first responders supposed to tell the difference between armed civilians and armed assailants? Also, college campuses contain sensitive areas such as dormitories and counseling centers.
Instead of arming every Tom, Dick and Mary with a gun, we need to come up with ways to keep our campuses safe and enjoyable for everyone. It is not that we are afraid of the guns; we are afraid of the people who are in possession of these guns. As we all know, guns don’t kill people, people carrying guns kill people.
The latest campus shooting happened Sept.14 at Delta State University in Mississippi. Ethan Smith, a history professor, was killed in his office allegedly by another professor.
There is, however, some potential good news. The bill allows for universities to designate certain areas on campus as “gun-free-zones.” A small victory, and it remains to be seen how significant of an impact this will have on Texas universities.
This is mainly because the law is not clear as to which areas on campus can be designated “gun-free.” Here at UHCL, university administrators are getting a team together to identify areas they would like designated as gun-free zones. They will then make an argument to present to the state and hope it gains their approval… this is not an easy task.
If the legislators feel an area, such as the Center for Autism, which houses children, or the Counseling Center, which councils students, are not acceptable areas to ban handguns, then handguns will be allowed in those areas. So, Texas universities’ campus carry policies are at the discretion of the legislators’ decision.
Guns are a real concern for many, especially when they can be legally brought onto college campuses.
Proponents of this law feel safer with the presence of guns on campus because they can protect themselves against active shooters, but campus police and first responders are trained to handle situations when shots are fired on campus. Even if you are in possession of a gun, if you are on campus, your first instinct should not be to pull out your weapon and shoot. You may just end up killing the wrong person.
This is the worst idea ever. It does not matter if the student is already and an adult, carrying a gun in school should never be allowed. A school is a place of education and guns is not a part of it.
I am advocate of gun ownership and gun carry, but I do not like this law allowing kids to carry guns to school and the administration of the school and the teachers cannot do anything about it. I really think this law should be abolished and never be visited again.
The “what if” scenarios defy logical thinking and rational. I do not mean in the slightest sense that they are not plausible scenarios, however, I do feel that for every negative “what if scenario” one could argue a positive “what if scenario” for campus carry. I feel that the signal has done an excellent job of promoting ways for students and faculty to promote against campus carry but has done little for the other side. Critical thinking requires us to unbiasedly look at each end of the spectrum. One could argue that a criminal wanting to carry a gun on campus with total disregard to laws would do so because well thats what criminals do. To posses a CHL one must face rigorous background checks, safety courses, and situational awareness scenarios. In these classes CHL holders are taught not to play the vigilante as serious and fatal accidents can occur. A CHL is solely for personal defense, not to play cops and robbers. Generally, if you are willing to go through all of the trouble of legally obtaining a CHL you are a law abiding citizen. From FBI mandated background checks to extensive review of handgun laws and safety, CHL carriers are in sound mind. This article skewed the laws and concealed carry making it out that anyone can bring a gun on campus, which in theory, with or without laws or rules, one could do so. The difference is CHL owners are responsible. I just find it disturbing that a university that promotes logical and critical thinking is so one sided in their efforts to promote their views. Either way, I will continue to follow the law no matter the outcome but I feel that the students should have more say in this matter and more access to easily voice their opinions.