Friday, October 3, 2008
A group of students hopes to bring concealed firearms to class along with backpacks and iPods. The grassroots organization, known as Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, held an open meeting Monday to discuss its desire to bear arms on school grounds.
“The main reason that concealed carry license holders should be able to carry on campus is due to the fact that campuses are just as, if not more, unsafe as everywhere else in society,” said Eric Stein, Topeka senior and the KU leader for SCCC. “The crime statistics and school shootings are prime examples that schools are just as unsafe as anywhere else off campus.”
Stein said Colorado State University and Blue Ridge Community College in Vermont have both allowed concealed firearms on campus for a combined total of more than 18 years. Utah passed a law in 2006 that permits licensed individuals to carry concealed handguns at the state’s public universities. None of these schools has had any acts of gun violence.
The SCCC consists of college students, faculty members, parents and concerned citizens.
“In the state of Kansas there are over 15,000 concealed and carry-licensed holders and there are 65 members on the campus of KU,” Stein said.
The organization’s primary goals are to educate the public while putting to rest the common myths associated with concealed handguns. Additionally, members hope to convince school administrations and state legislatures to provide individuals the right to carry concealed firearms on college campuses.
But not all students are excited to see guns on school grounds.
“To carry guns on campus is unnecessary,” said Aren T. Ryan, Kansas City, Mo., sophomore. “We are adults and should be able to solve quarrels without killing each other.”
KU’s chapter of SCCC takes action every year to have its voice heard by participating in a semi-annual demonstration.
Kansas laws permit individuals 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon after passing a training course. They must have no prior felonies and no history of serious mental illness. Individuals must also pass a series of background checks.
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
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Comments
Student group advocates concealed carry on campus
This is awesome. It's ridiculous that our extremely public institution would enforce policies that are so blatantly incompatible with the second amendment. As for the comment from Sophomore Aren Ryan, the point of carrying a concealed weapon isn't to kill each other, but to protect oneself in situations of dire need. Obviously no one would argue that we should all be allowed to carry concealed firearms in order to more easily settle disputes.
Student group advocates concealed carry on campus
Fortunately, most states do NOT make it unlawful for students and the public to carry guns on college campuses. In Kansas, students and others may lawfully open carry handguns on campus at age 18 and higher, no permit needed. See http://www.opencarry.org/college.html.
Student group advocates concealed carry on campus
First of all, not to be picky or anything, but Blue Ridge Community College is in Virginia, not Vermont. However that's just an editing mistake. Second, surely Aren T. Ryan knows that a person trying to rob you at knife point, for example, won't be so willing to "discuss" things. He just wants your money and could care less if he hurts you in the process. Carrying a gun isn't for solving "quarrels" as Aren seems to think, but rather to defend one's self and diffuse a life threatening situation.
Student group advocates concealed carry on campus
Lawful concealed weapons are not used to settle academic arguments about politics or pizza slices. Only adults can get the license and they do so for The purpose of protecting lives. The law is called the Personal and Family Protection Act, KSA 75.7c. The campus killers don't have licenses, don't want licenses and don't obey signs that say no weapons. In fact, since they want to kill people, unarmed victims are preferred. Open carry is not an option, most cities have laws against open carry and whether it is legal or not, seeing guns disturbs some people. Concealed weapons are out of sight and nobody knows or cares. The problem is that the Board of Regents has the power to expel students, withhold grades and fire faculty and staff. That power means that should a killer come to campus, the choice is die.
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