Mixed Views Concerning Campus Carry in Texas

Mixed Views Concerning Campus Carry in Texas

By Angelique Paccione

The Texas State University community voiced their opinions concerning a bill allowing college students to carry concealed weapons on Texas campuses after it was sent to be signed by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott.

According to a Texas Tribune article, Abbot said he is planning on signing Senate Bill 11 to allow the carrying of concealed handguns at public colleges and universities. However, only those with a concealed handgun license of at least 21 years of age will be allowed to carry. Public institutions of higher education will be able to designate gun-free zones on campus. Private colleges and universities will be allowed to have their own laws concerning campus carry.

This law brought mixed views among parents, students, and faculty at Texas State.

Andres Davila, photo by Angelique Paccione

“You hear about campus shootings all the time, and there is no permission or law allowing them to carry it,” said senior Andres Davila. “I am against guns on campus. I don’t see a need for it. If you feel so threatened in the world that you have to arm yourself, then that is more of an internal issue.”

Even parents worry about their children being at risk because of people’s free will.

Tim Brugger, a parent of an inco

ming freshman, said, “I do worry about my daughter’s safety away from home. I think it'd be a good step for gun owners, but I don't think it would stop anyone from doing what they want to do.”

The people that are in favor of concealed weapons on campus have also voiced their opinions regarding safety and personal rights.

“The amount of students on a campus outnumber the cops. 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,” said Mike Shaw, a 40-year-old parent. “If people know that campuses do not allow open carry they might be more likely to target an area where they know people don't have any protection, especially if they do not see anyone in uniform.”

Even Texas State students realize that college comes with the responsibility to make their own decisions.

Janet Vela, a biochemistry major, said, “I think that we are all adults here and should be able to make our own choices.”

While some people believe everyone has a right to their own property and protection, others believe it will negatively influence life in the classroom and throughout campus.

Allison Abernathy, an English major, said it would add unnecessary stress to a student’s daily life. “It shouldn't be permitted because I think it adds tension to the learning environment.”

Others have said the campus carry law will cause more than stress and tension, but also violence.

Matt Weed, a musician from Uvalde, Texas, said campus carry is the worst idea he has ever heard. “It’s a place for education, not violence.”

Mary Brennan, photo by Ashley Hunt

The faculty have witnessed and dealt with college students battling stress, and they do not see guns as a way to cope.

“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 Mary Brennan, a history professor. “It is not safe.”

If students will be allowed to walk around armed, some people believe the number of enrollment could drop throughout public colleges.

“It would make people scared and draw people away from pursuing an education,” Davila said.

Concealed carry on public campus -- Ashley Hunt

Campus concealed carry: Guns now to be allowed in schools across state. 

By:Ashley Hunt


Open carry-laws in Texas (SB 11) are changing on Aug. 1, 2016, those who have a concealed handgun license will be able to carry their weapon onto public college campuses across the state.

Mary Brenna, Ph.D.
(Photo from Texas State Website)

There are mixed opinions on this law and while there is tremendous support for the law, there are those who are opposed. Mary Brennan, Ph.D., a history professor, expressed her disagreement and pointed out the issue of safety.

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

Chelsea Almazan

While faculty are concerned, there is also worry in the student population. However, the worry is focused in a different direction. Some students worry about random attacks, like Chelsea Almazan, 22, graphic design student.

“I would feel concerned that anyone having a concealed hand gun could cause issues such as school shootings,” said Almazan, “Yes, we are lucky to have background checks when getting your CHL beforehand, but sometimes guns still fall into the wrong hands.”

Other students had issues with personal safety, such as, Chelsea Cantu, 23, psychology and social work major.

“In some way I would feel safer, in others not safe,” Cantu said, “If I had my concealed license, I would carry my own gun.”

There are others like Blake Edwards, 27, master’s student of applied ethics and philosophy, who see things from a different perspective.

“The crime that people point to on college campuses isn't happening in classrooms or the library (for the most part), it’s happening in dorms where there are a lot of drugs and alcohol,” Edwards said, “College campuses are notorious for binge drinking, so I'm against adding guns to that situation.”

Concern for safety played a large role in all comments collected. There were high levels of worry and comments about giving the freedom of choice to the students who felt they needed to protect themselves. Andrew Hill, 26, business management major, did not show a direct opposition to the idea, but supported that students should have the right to choose.

“I believe that those individuals, for whatever reasons, that feel they need such protection should be allowed to protect themselves should the need arise,” Hill said, “I do not honestly care if people are able to carry their guns on campus.”

The training to obtain your CHL is rigorous and CHL carriers are educated fully on their weapon and how to use it responsibly. Even though this process is extensive, there are still risks. Susan S. Pante, 29, college graduate and accountant, supported the idea.

“As long as they have a CHL license, I think it would be okay because they would have at least gone thru the safety class, in this case I have no problem with it,” said Pante. “Only those with the proper certifications should be allowed to carry, not any random individual for the sake of safety.”

Additional Readings:

• KLRU Article
• Breitbart Article