Campus Carry - Dangerous or Proactive?

Campus Carry - Dangerous or Proactive?

Jessie Mace

New bill in Texas could allow students to carry their weapons on university campuses.

Lawmakers in Texas recently approved a bill that allows open carry of holstered guns in Texas. Not long after a similar bill was passed that permits college students to carry concealed weapons on public university campuses.  Both bills are currently waiting on signatures from Gov. Gregg Abbott, who supports the expansion of gun rights.

If passed this bill would allow 21 year-old's with concealed handgun licenses to bring their weapons on campus. However it does state that college presidents get to determine the areas of their campus that would allow concealed carry.

This bill has sparked a major controversy between students, public officials and university staff.

“I understand the need for some people to feel secure, however on a school campus I feel like it is inappropriate and unnecessary,” Texas State senior Matt Hamill said.

He is not the only one with concerns on safety, history professor Mary Brennan feels that students are already under enough emotional stress as it is. We do to need to add to that.

 

“I have seen kids with their emotions out of control who stay up all night with Red Bull during finals week, high strung and emotional and we are handing them a weapon," said Brennan, “It’s not safe.”

Other students feel nervous at the idea of their fellow classmate’s carrying weapons.

"I respect people’s rights to have guns but I don't feel comfortable knowing that people have them on campus just because I think that not conductive to the learning environment," English major Kara Dornes said. "I think it adds stress, like unnecessary stress to like a student’s daily life."

Grad student Sergio Bedford feels a sense of unease as well, “[it] sounds like a very, very dangerous idea. It takes one kid to get a bad grade on a test and then someone gets hurt or killed.”

While some believe that open carry will be unsafe and distracting, others feel that it will provide more safety and security on campus.

 

“We need the protection,” said Mike Shaw, parent of incoming freshman at Texas State University. “Considering the unpredictability of a possible terrorist attack and outcome if you have students that are armed that could help reduce the casualties and can ultimately get rid of the threat."

Chemistry major Carlos Ramirez is not against concealed carry, but he believes it needs to be carefully regulated.

“People should feel free to carry guns. But there needs to be strict regulations. People should be educated before deciding to bring a weapon on campus. It takes one dumb person to misuse a gun,” Ramirez said.

Regardless of the many conflicting opinions Governor Gregg Abbott is said to be signing the bill and it will come into effect August of 2016.

If you'd like to learn more about the political process of passing this law you can read more on Huffington Post