Home is a place where you feel the most comfortable, especially if you have a firearm on hand. One should always be able to protect themselves from any threatening forces in their home and elsewhere. For students who live on college campuses in dorm rooms, that is their home away from home. Unfortunately, not all colleges allow students, faculty, and staff to carry a concealed handgun on campus. Concealed and carry is best defined as when a person is carrying a concealed firearm in public. When carrying a concealed handgun, you are protecting both yourself and others around you. In addition, the Constitution says you have the right to bear arms in the United States, which allows us to be more alert and careful when doing so. Not only will colleges …show more content…
be safer and benefit from having licensed conceal and carry handgun holders on campuses, but it is also stated in the Second Amendment that our gun rights cannot be infringed, thus allowing us to use our right as human beings and use guns where we please. Although carrying a concealed firearm in public may seem a bit unorthodox to some, the benefits of always being readily prepared for any unforeseen circumstances outweigh the negatives. Unfortunately, many people believe that guns are dangerous and that someone’s possession of them can sometimes raise red flags. With recent school shootings involving guns, people believe having concealed guns on college campuses is not safe. However, this is inaccurate because allowing people to carry concealed handguns can aid in the reduction of crime rates. States are trying to figure out how to protect colleges from mass shootings and some lawmakers think one solution is to allow students and staff to arm themselves (“Texas Lawmakers Aim For Guns On College Campuses”). However, Ben Wofford states in his article, “Inside the Fight over Guns on Campuses”, that there has not been a time when an armed person has stopped a school shooting, but this because most schools don’t allow concealed handguns on college campuses (1). The colleges that do allow concealed handguns on campuses don’t have shootings and have very slim chances of having one occur. A citizen with a concealed handgun can potentially stop an active shooter before police officers arrive to the scene because they have a weapon of their own (“Texas Lawmakers”). In conclusion, if colleges want to lower school shooting rates, the solution to the problem is to allow people to conceal handguns on campuses. Despite guns possibly being a threat on college campuses, colleges already pose a variety of threats to students in attendance. Although many consider having concealed handguns on college campuses is a danger to everyone, people tend to ignore the other dangerous things colleges already have and allow on their campuses. One of the many harmful things that is present on a majority of college campuses today that is not viewed has dangerous as a gun is alcohol. Alcohol can be potentially fatal and can have long lasting, detrimental on young students. Therefore, alcohol is just as dangerous as a concealed handgun; the issue is that people don’t know when to stop drinking. According to Charles Deutsch, George Dowdall, and Henry Wechsler, colleges have a serious issue when it comes to students abusing alcohol. They can get into car accidents because they drive drunk, cause violence, commit or think about suicide, have high-risk sexual behavior, or just end up in the hospital because of alcohol poisoning ("Too Many Colleges are Still in Denial about Alcohol Abuse."). Alcohol can kill just like a handgun can. A second harmful threat on college campuses is fires. You never know when a fire can start. Fires can be started in various ways and in some cases, we have no control over how or when they occur. Similarly to alcohol and handguns, fires also cause death. A third harmful thing on college campuses is poor health. Diseases, sickness, and viruses can spread rapidly throughout college campuses due to close proximity and constant contact with others. Although death is unlikely, illnesses are still harmful and can spread quickly to others. Another harmful factor on college campuses is stress. Students are under huge amounts of pressure. College is not like high school; it doesn’t come at a cheap price. You have to work and put time into your studies to get an acceptable grade. For some students, stress levels can rise to the point where they decide to drink or consider suicide. These are some examples which prove that colleges already have harmful things on campuses and should allow conceal and carry handguns. All in all, college campuses already have a large variety of dangers, but by bringing concealed handgun permits to colleges, campuses’ atmospheres can only benefit. However, the United States gives rights to citizens, one of them allowing them to bear arms in this country. In the United States, the Constitution has twenty seven different amendments. The Second Amendment gives American citizens the right to bear arms. The Second Amendment also states that we cannot have the right to bear taken away from us. Every individual citizen is born with natural and human rights. This means the government cannot take the rights away from you. As citizens of the United States, we are born with these right and the right to bear arms is one of many. Some gun control advocates state that they don’t want to completely eliminate gun ownership of civilians and only want to restrict the rights. Adam Winkler states that newspapers are publishing articles saying they want to outright the repeal of the second amendment. Some people even believe that the right to bear arms is non existent. Winkler says that liberal news outlets argue about both the right to bear arms and guntrol control. They believe all gun rights must go (Winkler 34). While the other gun advocates want to get rid of guns in America. In 1926, Commissioners of the National Conference looked into regulating gun rights. They believed more careful regulations of gun use needed to be taken into action; specifically, small firearms and handguns (207). We should be allowed to exercise our rights as we choose. We should allow concealed handguns on college campuses, no matter the state's decision on whether or not campuses will allow it or not. Nevertheless, all citizens have the right to bear arms and should be able to express their rights anywhere in the country. Colleges should allow concealed handguns on campuses for many reasons, but the safety of others and protecting yourself are the most important ones.
In 1923, a pro-gun organization named U.S. Revolver Association came out with the conceal and carry permit and allowed people to have concealed weapons on themselves. Additionally, if one commits a crime while having possession of a handgun, they’ll receive an additional five years in prison. Noncitizens are not permitted to possessing any handguns. Additionally, gun sales need to be reported and recorded. Guns must also be held a full day after the purchase date to be given to the owner. These regulations are highly disliked by gun advocates across the country (207). States such as West Virginia, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Michigan, Indiana, Connecticut, Oregon, California, and North Dakota all support these laws (208). In recent times, at least one state per year is considering conceal and carry on college campuses (Inside the Fight Over). Colleges need to allow concealed handguns on campuses because having a handgun readily available is beneficial for everyone. How is it that pilots are allowed to carry guns on planes, but most colleges don’t allow concealed handguns on campuses? Pilots go through intensive background checks, training, and psychological evaluations in order for this to happen. Back in the 1900’s, pilots carried guns on them when they carried mail. If they landed, they needed to be able to protect the mail and have no one destroy anything inside (More Guns, Less Crime 242). No matter how many regulations guns have, protecting yourself is a right and we need to be able to exercise that right in our daily lives. A security guard cannot be in every spot on campus. You cannot rely on cops to be close enough to a college campus to stop a shooter before any harm is done. Allowing students to conceal handguns is important and is a natural right. Mike Ward talks about the law passed which allows
presidents of state colleges and universities in Texas to decide whether or not students with conceal and carry licenses are able to walk around with handguns throughout campuses. This law also applies to any staff and faculty who have a conceal and carry license. This law was passed recently because if it was denied, a special session was going to be presented that lets all campuses have the right to have concealed handguns. Passing it now still gives universities a choice whether or not they would like to allow concealed handguns on campuses. This additionally allows private universities to opt in on this law. In order for private universities to have handguns on campuses, they must review their terms and policies annually. Ward states that this law is only supported by gun right advocates and a select few of student groups. Everyone else is opposed to letting members of colleges carry a handgun with their concealed and carry license. Many are scared for the worst possibility. Ward talks to an U.S. Air Force veteran and he states he is with this law as it allows him to protect himself from any sort of chaos that may occur. On the other hand, teachers are scared students will pull a gun on them because of a bad grade or some other irrational reason. However, this is just in the state of Texas (Senate Panel Passes). Recently, the United States has different laws about concealed handguns on college campuses. States now decide on whether campuses can have concealed handguns, can not have concealed handguns, or leave it up to presidents of colleges and universities to pick (Annale Renneker). When having a handgun on a college campus, it is concealed. You cannot see it, which makes people unaware and not suspicious. People who have a concealed handgun are prepared for any situation that can happen. This can help with crime on campuses and in turn make campuses safer. All students are safer this way. Everyone is more protected with conceal and carry rather than without it. Nonetheless, college campuses should allow concealed handguns for multiple reasons. In conclusion, college campuses should allow all members such as staff, faculty, and students to conceal handguns. Unfortunately, people believe guns can cause more danger than good. Everyone has the right to bear arms and should be given the chance to conceal where they please, such as a college campus to protect themselves and others around. Many people are quick to assume that guns are dangerous and are tools of violence, but that simply is not the case when it comes to protecting yourself and others around you. Nevertheless, allowing responsible people to have concealed handguns on college campuses lets people express their rights and protect all.
In “Stop Worrying About Guns in the Classroom. They’re Already here.” the author, Erik Gilbert, argues in favor of the law allowing the concealed carry of firearms in college campuses. Gilbert claims that it’s futile to be “worried by the prospect of having guns in [the] classroom” because he believes that even before the bill was passed, some students and faculty were already carrying firearms to campus (Gilbert). Furthermore, he insinuates that despite the presence of firearms, there were no incidents of student or faculty causing harm. To support his argument, the author provides incidents which have occurred over the last decade at his campus, such as accidental discharge of guns in dorms, firearms in student’s vehicles, and one faculty member who was discovered to be in possession of a gun in an on-campus facility. Considering these incidents and previous knowledge of “prevailing regional attitudes towards guns”, the author assumes that significant numbers of students, and possibly faculty, bring guns on campus regularly (Gilbert). As for those who are afraid due to the new law, he declares to them that firearm permit-holders are not dangerous by comparing the rate of their crimes to that of police officers. He also reasons that permit holders need to be at least 21 to qualify—claiming that the more mature students qualify—and have background checks performed.
In America there is 89 firearms per 100 people (Moore) so it is safe to say most people will come in contact with a firearm in their life time. But when you do will you know how to handle the situation? Guns can be deadly when abused and used incorrectly. There is a way to reduce the unnecessary deaths. Firearm safety is the important piece in reducing the deaths and firearm abuse and it should be made mandatory in schools.
Concealed weapons on college campuses have been a debatable issue for a long time now. “Statistically, colleges and universities are relatively safe environments for students, faculty, and administrators”, but will concealed carry affect this (Kirszner and Mandell, 626)?Supporters argue that being able to carry a concealed weapon lowers the percentage of shooting or accidents and that it is simply constitutional to have the right to bear arms. On the other hand, non-supporters believe that this will affect the way of learning in school, and raise anxiety. While it is true that having a concealed weapon can make the person holding it feel safe, we should not allow it because it may bring more negative rather than positive things into the college campuses.
People who disagree with me think that there should be concealed gun carry on college campuses because it will make the students safer in a risky situation by making the students able to shoot down and stop the shooter. Students for Concealed Carry, an organization for concealed gun carry on campus, say, “The crux of the SGFS essay is the undeniable fact that college campuses typically have lower crime rates than the cities in which they reside” (642). In “Why Our Campuses Are Safer Without Concealed Handguns”, an article against concealed handgun carry, states that, “Our colleges and universities are safe sanctuaries for learning.” (633).
Why would a student feel the need to carry a concealed weapon on campus? After all they’re headed to a “school” not a war zone. Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin are the only states that allow concealed weapons on campus. Arizona and other states let schools decide the policy on weapons. Many states prohibited concealed weapons on campus which is the right choice. Most colleges who allow their students to carry concealed weapons increase the chances of violence on campus. College students must be unable to carry concealed weapons on
Secondly, some people believe guns should not be allowed on campus because they may go off by accident. True, a gun may go off by accident, but according to, Students for Concealed Carry, out of 150 college campuses that allow concealed carry, there have been only three accidental discharges (Common). Two of them were by staff and one by a student. All three of the accidental discharges resulted in non-life-threatening discharges in which no one was injured (Common). All three incidents could have been prevented through proper training and practice, such as wearing a
Taking privileges away from the majority of mentally stable, healthy, hard working Americans just because a percentage of alcoholics, drug addicts, gang members, and mentally ill individuals are to blame for the school shootings, murders and suicides, would just be insane. So, why is the government trying to implement more strict gun laws for the people that don't do these heinous crimes. The debate on if the government should take the guns away from all the citizens in order to stop these crimes would not stop those who are committing the crimes in the first place. Then, the question would be, how would we know who really has the guns and where they are?
College is seen as the beginning of young adult life, but campus crime can prevent the continuation of that life.Yet, campuses still prohibit students from carrying essential self defense weapons. This is most likely due to their ignorance of the benefits involved with allowing campus carry. Campus carry improves the overall environment of a college and promotes safety. Students should be allowed to carry guns on campus due to the current lack of protection offered through the university and an individual’s lawful right, despite the belief that it would cause an escalation in violent crime.
Of all school shootings only 47 percent of them are on college campuses. The other 53 percent are in elementary through high school grade campuses. These numbers can be drastically cut back by allowing concealed and open carry on college campuses. Students should be allowed to open carry on campus because it increases the protection of both themselves and the public.
Concealed weapons in college campus’s have been a big issue since the mass shootings in Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois Universities. Allowing for guns to be allowed in college campus’s would be a bad thing to do since it would create additional risks for students, even if weapons were allowed it wouldn’t deter the shooter, and it would detract from a healthy learning environment. So far there is only five states , Colorado, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin, that allow “concealed carry” at school campus.
Guns should be banned from all college campuses nationwide. Many students, teachers, and college presidents strongly oppose hidden, loaded guns on campuses because it will lead to increased violence, accidental shootings, and the non-carrying public would feel unsafe around the carrying public. If all elementary to high schools have a strict ban on guns for their campuses, it seems logical to extend the ban up to higher education. Now that it is more common for students in high school to take dual classes on a college campus, extending would ensure safety of the minors. Guns have a purpose at other arenas, but on a campus that is intended for learning and education it would be best to keep
School shootings have altered American history greatly over the past two decades. From 1997 to 2007, there have been more than 40 school shootings, resulting in over 70 deaths and many more injuries. School shoot-outs have been increasing in number dramatically in the past 20 years. There are no boundaries as to how old the child would be, or how many people they may kill or injure. At Mount Morris Township, Michigan, on February 29th, 2000, there was a 6 year old boy who shot and killed another 6 year old girl at the Buell Elementary School with a .32 caliber pistol. And although many shootings have occurred at High Schools or Middle Schools, having more guns on those campuses would not be a good environment for children to grow up in. However, on a college campus, the pupils attending are not children anymore; the age range is from 17 to mid 20’s. Therefore they understand the consequences associated to the use of weapons and have gained more maturity. In April 16th, 2007, at Blacksburg, Virginia, there was a shooting rampage enacted by Sung-Hui Cho (23 years, from Centreville, VA) who fired over 170 rounds, killing 32 victims, before taking his own life at the Virginia Tech campus. Colleges and Universities would be a much safer place, for student and teacher, if guns were permitted on campus for self-defense purposes.
Khubchandani is a professor at Ball State University, which conducted a survey among the students at the University. He emphasizes, “However, the majority of women said there were more disadvantages to carrying handguns on campus. These were women who did not own firearms and did not have a firearm in the home growing up”(Most College Students). He says that utmost women do not want firearms on campus because they don’t see advantages from having concealed weapons on campus. But, he also states that this is the case because they have not been exposed in an environment with guns. Therefore people are only at a disadvantage if they don’t seek any information about gun assurance including a permit and gun
Due to the recent disruption of violent crimes on campus, many citizens that are pro-gun activist have suggested that both the students and teachers should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on school campuses. Those who are with guns allowed on school campuses claim that their rights have been violated for the reason that many college campuses refuse to allow weapons of any kind on their property. The Constitution of The United States of America already grants citizens the right to carry guns with them. It is not appropriate for guns to be in a vulnerable area such as a college campus or any University. There are already too many guns available to the public or easy to get any kind of gun, and allowing them on
In the past years, several schools and college campuses have suffered many shooting attacks, killing innocent people who just want to become professional and finish their careers. Those shooters have been caused by other students that might have personal or mental problems that make them think that they can solve their problems by shooting and killing people. This is why many people are arguing about the second amendment, if guns should be allowed on college campuses. Some arguments are: students are going to be more secure and they will be able to defend themselves in case that someone starts shooting. However, there is also a large amount of people who believe that if guns are allowed on college campuses there would be an increase of