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Should Guns Be Allowed On Campus

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Should Firearms be Allowed on Campus?

In 1924, when presidential candidate Robert La Follete was asked if he supported or opposed gun control, he replied: “Our choice is not merely to support or oppose gun control, but to decide who can own which guns under what conditions” (GALE). The question of gun control has been one America has struggled with for ages. Currently one of the hottest debate topics, access to firearms is an issue that people have formed thousands of different opinions on. As stated by La Follete, it is not just an issue of yes or no- it is a more complicated topic with circumstances that vary depending on location, personal beliefs, and many other factors.
One of the major factors that needs to be considered when forming …show more content…

During a debate between two students on campus at a southern Texas university, one of the participants pulled out his concealed firearm and shot, killing the other participant and wounding a bystander (The Trace). High levels of emotion, like the ones present while participating in a controversial debate, cause people to make impulse decisions. Because the student was equipped with a firearm, he was able to release his raging emotions against his debate partner in a violent way. At a school where concealed carry is permitted, anyone could have a gun. This constant threat of guns will cause students to be weary and uncomfortable while in the classroom. Controversial debate topics will be avoided due to fear of passionate students lashing out in a potentially deadly way. College professors may also avoid bringing up these controversial topics and discussions, things that college classrooms are meant for. A classrooms’ educational level will be severely impacted if the professor feels limited to surface level topics. Some even may go to the extent of quitting their job, like a number of deans working at UT did after the concealed carry law was passed (SIRS). Talented and qualified faculty resigning will affect the quality of the faculty as a whole; replacements may not be as fit for the job. This loss of competent professors may cause students, then, to be put off from the school and …show more content…

Since the concealed carry law was passed in Colarado, campus crime rate increased by 25% in 2012 and 36% in 2013 (The Trace). Weaponry will allow assailants to threaten their targets or nearby bystanders much easier. It will also increase the chance of a deadly outcome. Some students could also be provoked to make poor decisions because of the reliance on their firearm as a “safety blanket”. Despite popular belief, data indicates guns are not effective at lowering the rate of crime and

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