Guns Should Not Be Allowed On College Campuses

Guns have been accepted in society for many years now, even before the second amendment provided U.S. citizens the right to bear arms. Conflicts can arise with having the ability to carry around a gun. Guns should not be encouraged tools in a college setting. If students try and bring guns on campus it could cause fatal incidents to happen. If someone has a disagreement they could possibly shoot someone. Educational campuses should be safe and gun free especially when it comes to the youth. Also there is no need to have a gun on hand if there are law enforcements on campus.

While the debate and argument over the carry on campus law continues, more and more concerns are surfacing about the jeopardy it could put our nation in. Are students even mature enough for the handling of weapons? Students are not to be trusted with guns and college campus should stay a gun-free zone. Carrying a gun in general requires responsibility that people of a young age sometimes tend not to have. The handling a firearm and a lack of responsibility within a person can be a very dangerous situation. Judgement and maturity of such a young group are things to consider when thinking about the carry on campus law and a student’s capability to make smart choices when handling a weapon can’t be trusted.

Due to the recent upheaval of violent crimes on campus, many pro-gun activist have suggested that both the students and teachers should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus. Those for this may claim that their rights have been violated because many college campuses refuse to allow weapons of any kind on campus. It is not the right to carry a gun which is in debate here, but rather it is whether or not guns should be allowed on a college campus. The Constitution of The United States of America already grants citizens the right to carry guns, and being in the south, I am by far no stranger to seeing a gun from time-to-time, but it is not appropriate for guns to be in a vulnerable area such as a college campus. There are already too many guns available to the public, and allowing them on an educational facility would greatly increase the likelihood of injury or death. Americans, as previously mentioned, have the right to bear arms, and this should be held sacred, and not infringed, taken away, or limited. However, stricter firearm control should be implemented for those who chose to carry a concealed weapon, and gun control should be done by having stricter certification processes before a firearm or gun permit is issued, intensive psychological evaluation for the person or persons applying for a gun permit or a gun,and greater educational requirements for gun owners and firearm safety.

Allowing guns on campuses has to be one of the most absurd solutions conceived to regulate safety. Firearms have no place in the hands of staff and students on campus. The idea is totally blown out of proportion because many universities actually considering concealed carry believe the impact will be less crime and more safety, but what exactly does it mean to allow a weapon on college property? People that are for campus carry argue that those with a firearm will be able to defend themselves against any incident that is bound to happen, but what happens when they pull out a gun? How will students, staff, or law enforcement react? Guns on campuses are not a good idea due to the fact students aren't fully mature enough to carry a weapon, they will become inhibited in

Concealed carry and college campuses are two major topics currently in the media, yet these two topics are rarely used in unison, until now. The topic of whether or not concealed carry should be allowed on college campuses is a now mainstream debate with multiple views and numerous differentiating opinions. Many of the general public question if campus police is capable enough to protect a university’s enormous student body? Another commonly discussed issue is if concealed handguns actually do deter crime, and if they are capable of aiding in stopping a mass shooting spree? Or if guns on campus, carried by fellow classmates would make students as a whole feel more cautious or on the opposing hand make students feel more secure with guns carried on campus? If guns are allowed on campus, how will this affect a growing student’s ideology? These questions and many more are highly spoken of in our social media based generation, the answers to these questions help to improve our knowledge on this debate of concealed carry on college campuses, which will lead us to form our own individual opinions on this debate topic based on the facts and evidence presented.

Guns on college campuses without the proper training could be even more dangerous. While I was conducting my interview with Officer Shaw, campus security for Bethune-Cookman university. He gave me insight on how they went go through months of specific training to be able to even work here. He feels as though only security should be the only ones allowed to have guns. But, if others were allowed to, it should be faculty because of their level of maturity. He strongly feels that there should be a zero tolerance for

Concealed weapons would not only cause a distraction from learning of college students but it will also cause a distraction moviegoers from enjoying movies or office workers from doing their job. This would also would also increase the number of suicides. Research shows that 90% of suicides are committed off campus and most college students 21 and up live off campus. 21 is the minimum age to carry a concealed handgun license in most states. Wondering whether or not the people around in class, or the professors, are secretly carrying a loaded gun is slightly undermining and could be harmful for a positive learning environment. Someone looking to attack a school or university campus is on a mission with little concern for their own outcome, so the possibility of other people being armed wouldn’t be a strong leash. Concealed guns being present in class could serve as distraction and a fear for students, overcoming the gun’s ability to possibly serve as protection in case of a threat. having a legal concealed carry is a personal decision for many people in consideration to their individual safety. This is why handguns should not be permitted on college

If college campuses legalize the right to obtain a concealed weapon there could a risk of escalation in violence on college campuses. Allowing college students to carry a concealed weapon on campus makes for many opportunities of potential misuse of the weapon. According to the Journal of American College Health, most college students don't have experience shooting or holding a gun, therefore, they could make a mistake and unintentionally harm somebody or even themselves. Granting college students access to guns will pose increased risks of incidents of self-injury, accidental shootings and even murders. The University of Louisiana system shows that evidence also indicates that the presence of concealed weapons on campus would increase the likelihood of

“Your rights shouldn’t change as you step on campus…” Crayle Vanest, Students For Concealed Carry states. If you have your concealed licenses permit you should be able to carry your firearm onto campus. I see college campuses being extremely vulnerable to mass shooting because of the lack of firearms. It is argued that college students would be dangerous if they were allowed to conceal carry on campus, and it would be more of a risk. In my opinion campuses would be safer if students were legally able to conceal carry. In order to have a conceal carry licenses you have to go to class to obtain that. If a student is of age and has their conceal carry licenses permit they shouldn’t be limited to certain places that they are able to carry their

Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Debate over permitting or restricting the concealed carry of a firearm on college

Annale Renneker also discusses why concealed carry is necessary on college campuses today. Most college campuses are “open”, meaning that practically anyone can walk on to them and many buildings do not have metal detecters or security guards (Renneker 1). She cites the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy where the shooter was not even a student at the college, he simply walked on campus undetected and shot and killed 33 people before killing himself (Renneker 4). It is not difficult for one to enter a college campus and cause harm with a firearm if they intend to do so, anyone who has been on a public American college or university campus has seen non-students passing through at some point. She also cites the Department of Homeland Security’s

Concealed guns on campus is a major topic floating around right now. Many people believe that it would be beneficial to carry guns on campus. Some believe people should have the right to protect themselves if there is a potential attack. It is a right to own a gun and to carry it, if you have the right qualifications. If you can carry a gun anywhere else it makes sense that you should be able to carry it on campus. A few years ago it was brought to attention about people being able to carry guns on campus. At first it seemed like a long shot but now the argument has gained attention and people have changed their views on the issue to agreeing that it would be good to be able to have a concealed gun on campus.

Students at colleges are supposed to be mature and know better when presented with a gun, but who says that those students are mentally stable to conduct a gun. Most of the people who commit the shooting in schools, colleges, and other public areas are considered insane or mentally unstable. Unfortunately, we do not always know when a person may or may not be considered insane. This creates a risk, because people who are mentally unstable will be able to get a gun. The chances of them using them for the greater good are

Allowing concealed weapons on campus can also prevent casualties and injuries in the event of a mass public shooting. According to Smith “Between 1977 and 1995, the average death rate from mass shootings plummeted by up to 91% after such laws [right-to-carry concealed handgun laws] went into effect, and injuries dropped by over 80%.”

“Colleges and universities occupy a special place in American society. They are much more than a series of buildings and collection of individuals. Instead, they are dynamic living and learning environments where individuals with varying levels of maturity interact, often under stressful circumstances. While recognizing the right of responsible individuals to possess firearms under other circumstances, the unique characteristics of a university campus make the presence of firearms problematic. The shootings that have occurred in recent years at US colleges and universities have generated passionate debate about how best to prevent such violence and whether persons should be allowed to carry concealed guns on campuses. Experts believe there is no credible evidence that students or staff carrying guns would reduce crime. In fact, research has shown that the brains of most college students have not fully developed regarding impulse control and judgment” (Dickerson). Therefore, guns should not be allowed on college campuses because it would lead to an escalation in violent crime, distract from the learning environment, and lead to accidental discharge incidents.