Diverse Sources Story Assignment: Stacee Collins

Does campus carry affect learning in the classroom?

By: Stacee Collins
s_c341@txstate.edu

Students 21 and up have been able to carry concealed handguns since the campus carry law went into effect Aug. 1, but some students and faculty members are concerned it will affect performance in the classroom.

The American Association of University Professors, the Association of American Colleges and others issued a statement Nov. 12, 2015, regarding campus carry and academics.

The statement reads: “College campuses are marketplaces of ideas, and a rigorous academic exchange of ideas may be chilled by the presence of weapons. Students and faculty members will not be comfortable discussing controversial subjects if they think there might be a gun in the room.”

According to the Texas Tribune, three professors sued the University of Texas at Austin because the campus carry law forced them to impose dangerous gun policies that violate the First and Second Amendments.

The professors said they lecture on emotional topics such as abortion and LGBTQ rights. Concealed carry on campus could limit those class discussions, which is a violation of free speech, according to the lawsuit.

 Keri Fitzgerald lecturing at the College of Liberal Arts.
Photo provided by: Keri Fitzgerald

Keri Fitzgerald, English senior lecturer at Texas State University, said she is concerned about the law’s potential to restrict academic freedom.

“I’m not sure a campus with young and developing minds is the right place for people to have concealed weapons,” Fitzgerald said. “Academia is supposed to be a place of open-mindedness, and I worry about the effect [campus carry] could have on that.” 

Although Fitzgerald supports the 2nd Amendment, she said concealed carry should be prohibited in specific places on campus.

“The brain doesn’t actually finish developing until age 25, so I worry about it in places with traditional students in dorms,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m not sure everyone’s brain is developed to the point where they can make a good decision.”

However, there are various locations on campus where concealed carry is prohibited. The Student Health Center, Bobcat Stadium and residence halls used for summer camps are all gun-free zones.

Mason Gann, Texas State sophomore.

Photo by: Dana Rosenquist

Some students are concerned about the places where concealed carry is not prohibited, such as classrooms.

“It definitely changes the mood,” said Mason Gann, Texas State exploratory professional sophomore. “It might distract [students] from the lessons in the classroom.”

Stephen Spencer, Texas State finance senior, said the law has not made him afraid to go to class. However, he will be more reluctant to attend once an incident occurs.

“I am concerned that this will put stress on students,” Spencer said. “They will be more concerned with the student next to them, rather than what the teacher is saying.”

Dionna Womack, Texas State senior and resident assistant, said she has concerns about campus carry.

“While I do openly support campus carry for lawfully qualified citizens on campus, I have reservations about the fear that it may inflict upon students who do not feel safe learning in an environment where such things are permissible,” Womack said.  

Weston Morgan, University of Texas
senior.
Photo by: Gabriela Perez 

On the other hand, concealed weapons in the classroom do not bother some students.

Weston Morgan, film senior at the University of Texas at Austin, said the law does not disrupt the educational environment.

“I don’t think [guns] should be allowed or encouraged, but the law isn’t going to change the way I feel in a classroom,” Morgan said.

Diane Lemons, Texas State respiratory care junior, said she supports the campus carry law.

Diane Lemons, Texas State junior
Photo by: Wensley Guthrie

“I think guns should be allowed to be carried by responsible people,” Lemons said. “If a serious situation were to occur on campus, there would be someone able to defend themselves and others.”

Although there are varying opinions about the campus carry law, Texas State offers numerous resources aimed to educate students, faculty and staff about it.

Texas State published “Guidelines for Creating a Safe Classroom Environment,” a document that provides suggestions on how faculty members can achieve safety and balance in the classroom.

In the guidelines, Texas State officials encourage faculty members to consider avoiding controversial topics when planning class and building the syllabus. In addition, officials ask that course content be presented in an unbiased manner.

Additional information on Texas State’s campus carry policies can be found on the website.