How To Keep Guns On Campus Essay

One of the major heated issues with gun control has been the legislation of concealed carry on college campuses. According to Weeden’s (2017) article, “Guns on Campus,” Arkansas and Georgia have already passed bills to allow students and faculty to carry guns on campus. I can understand why states are doing this due to the amount of school shootings that have been occurring

Every student should feel safe when stepping foot on campus, but allowing concealed handguns on campus grounds brings forth fear and doubt. A new Texas state law allows license holders to have concealed handguns in college buildings and classrooms. I firmly believe in the second amendment, which provides the right to bear arms: this means that everyone has the right to protect their selves, families, and land. However, I stand completely against the new state law (which moves into effect in Aug. of 2016) that is allowing license-carrying gun holders to carry their weapons to and from classes in universities. With this ruling moving closer into effect, many faculty members and college students are now realizing the dangers that this will bring forth. This bill was passed to help protect and defend students from possible school shooters, but in reality, it only jeopardizes the safety and trust of many students and faculty members.

controlled on each campus throughout the state. The University of Texas in Austin is one of the universities that is required to comply with the new regulation. After reading some articles discussing Campus Carry, I realized there were compelling arguments in support of and in opposition to this expansion of gun rights. While some students support Campus Carry, others are quite concerned and feel that it may very well threaten their safety. In this essay, I will analyze the arguments made in support and opposition to the law, how the law may affect the students and faculty on campus, and provide alternate solutions which could provide the desired result.

That is the major worry for parents of students and students who would attend any public college. The other side says that the victims will have something to protect themselves with. How about let’s not allow guns on public universities and stop the ones that stand out because they carry a gun. The fact is this, with this law, anyone who carries a gun can become a shooter, however, they cannot be treated as such until they commit a crime or do something illegal. The shooter now can get to the center of a room or a very crowded place and have the advantage on anyone/everyone. In fact, Virginia Tech shooting became the deadliest shooting because the shooter was able to get in a place where he had the advantage over everyone. In these instances, a shooter will never be harmed by any regular civilian with a gun. The shooter will be free to do whatever he wants until taken down by an armed police officer or SWAT team.

Therefore, concealed carry on college campuses should continue to be a Texas law because allowing students and staff to carry will help protect people and prevent crimes in and around our campus and community. Either by stopping a crime or causing people to be a more law-abiding person Campus carry will always be the way to go to make our college better and

The rules for CHL holder have to follow stated by the Texas Department of Public Safety surrounding concealed handguns licenses on college campuses says it “Authorizes a license holder to carry a concealed handgun on their person while they are on the campus of an institution of higher education in this state. However as stated by the Department of Public Safety the institution establish rules, regulation, or other provisions concerning the storage of handguns in dormitories or other residential facilities that are operated by the institution and located on the campus of the institution. The rules, regulations and provisions are made by the chief executive officer or president. Also under the Penal Code Section 30.06 they are authorized to post a sign stating where the holder may not carry a gun. (New laws for Concealed Handgun License (CHL) program 2015)

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.

Gun ownership is on the rise and even college students want firearms now. Since 1999 college students owning firearms for protection has increased over 19 percent (DiMauro 17). With this rise whether or not these numbers should increase has become a heated issue. As of now 26 colleges allow concealed carry on campuses, totaling in over 70 campuses(Burnett) and many others are in consideration. Organizations such as Students for Concealed Carry are at work to educate the public on the truths of how on campus carry would to some degree benefit college students, professors, and all visitors. Firearms can be and should be allowed on college campuses primarily because it is a not only a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution but also

Concealed carry permits are not easy to get. Every state that offers concealed carry permits requires that each person first pass a background investigation. These investigations usually take about one month to complete, and require fingerprint, criminal, and psychological background checks to find if an individual has a history of mental illness, criminal record, or fingerprints involved in a crime. After the background investigation is complete, the individual must complete a firearm safety and concealed firearm training course. This course covers not only the safe handling of firearms, but also covers the legal aspects of a persons right to use a weapon in their own defense. Students and faculty already in possession of these permits, have demonstrated they are responsible for their actions and have sufficient training so they won't pull out a gun just to show it off. These people know that carrying a concealed weapon is for self-defense, should only be brandished as a last resort, and comes with added responsibility and consequences if the need arises. Any person that chooses not to accept these additional

There is much controversy over whether or not students should be able to bring guns on college campuses. The new law, to be implemented in the year of 2016, gives students ages 21 or older to carry concealed weapons on campus. The thought of the new law puts fear in the hearts of some Americans when thinking about the safety of themselves or loved ones. While the bill has been passed, allowing guns onto a college campus should not be allowed.

Those that are non-supporters of the bill insist guns on campuses will lead to more tragedies. They believe there is no evidence that can conclude that guns on campus will decrease crimes. According to the author Darby Dickerson, ‘‘ Research has shown that the brains of most college students have not fully developed with regards to impulse control and judgment; therefore, allowing students access to guns could actually increase reckless shooting incidents.”(Dickerson). Non-Supporters believe giving guns

Another political value that is in conflict with itself is security. People who are for concealed carry at universities claim that it would be for their security. Since 2002, 64 people have been killed in mass shootings on college campuses. (Lyons, 2016) One individual is quoted as saying that “The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.” (Lyons, 2017) This quote conveys the feelings of many concealed carry supporters who say that they do not feel safe being restricted as to where they can and cannot carry their personal weapon. Opponents of this idea claim that allowing guns on college campuses would conflict with their own personal safety. Many say that the more weapons we have on college campuses, the more likely an attack or accident is to happen. An idea that has been tossed around would be to allow only faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons. However, opponents still have some hesitations. Daniel Webster of Johns Hopkins University stated that if faculty and staff “were permitted to bring guns onto college campuses, there should be … strict rules and protocols for securing the

The modern world is a lot different from 200 years ago; however the need for self-defense still remains and should be available to any citizen at any time or any place. Johanne Kimberline (2008), another supporter, discussed the annual number of weapons produced by American gun-manufacturers; “American gun manufacturers crank out roughly 3.5 million firearms annually. The country's most popular handgun is the semi-automatic…” (p. A1); which were also the same weapons used in the Virginia Tech shooting, partly because of the abundance, as well as the convenience of the size. Johanne (2008) goes to also talk about carrying handguns without a permit; “In Virginia and 10 other states, residents 18 or older can "open carry" a handgun without a permit” (p. A1). Since so many people can openly carry a handgun in restaurants and bars they should also be allowed to carry it on campus.

There are several debates among people that remain in a repetitive and vicious cycle of what is right, and what is wrong. Concealed carry on college campuses is one of those noticeable arguments. As the years pass by, gun rights on college campuses have become a touchy subject that is normally avoided at dinner tables and formal events. The laws concerning concealed carry on college campuses vary from state to state, and also from campus to campus. Several factors about concealed carry either have people uneasy while others adamantly fight for more gun rights on college campuses and universities. Should concealed carry be allowed on campus, and are people taking into account school violence, learning environment, crime, student’s safety and constitutional rights?

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.