Opinions Vary on the “Campus Carry” Law

                                                                                                            By: Yanira Durant

                               Opinions Vary on the “Campus Carry” Law

Guns will be making their way onto campus beginning in august causing mixed emotions in the Texas State community. 

Texas Lawmakers passed a bill allowing students with concealed handgun licenses to openly carry on campus. Many members of the Texas State community including students, parents, faculty and staff all have different opinions on the issue.

After the law was passed these students, Austin native Chelsea Cantu and Sociology major Amy Lee Pena, are concerned about their safety.

"It makes me really uncomfortable, mostly because you just never know how people will react to certain things and if they're having a bad day its just so easy for them to pull out their gun and scare someone." Said Pena.

(Photo by: Ralph Barrera)

Some feel more inclined to bring their own firearm as a safety precaution.

“In some way I would feel more safe, in some ways not safe. If I had my concealed license, I would carry my own gun.” Said Cantu.

With the new law in place, students’ maturity and judgment come into question. Students and staff are worried about how emotions and stress will affect someone with a gun on campus.  

“I think if they are there, they are more likely to be used and I think that college students are more volatile than just your average citizen. Having those things escalate and there being a gun present it will not be good.” Said Christian Wallace a graduate student from Andrews, Texas.

(Photo by: James Gibbard)

Faculty like Mary Brennan the Department of History Chair disagree with the law because they are not always in the right mental state to handle a weapon properly.

“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 is not safe.”

Some members of the community also think those with the intent of harming someone will do it regardless of campus carry laws. International relations major Sara Pavey (pictured on the left) hopes that it will still be a safe campus.  

“Part of me is a little nervous but in reality if you’re going to bring a gun on campus for harmful purposes they’re going to probably do it anyways, despite laws or not. Hopefully nothing changes.” Said Pavey.

                                                                                                   

Parents also show concern for their child attending the university but agree that if something dangerous were to happen, laws cannot prevent it. If Tim Brugger a parent from La Grange, Texas could vote today he would be in favor of the law.                                                                     

"I'd vote in favor for it. I think I'd trust a gun owner with a license, more than an owner with out one." Said Brugger.