This weekend lawmakers in Texas passed legislation that, if signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R), will allow lawful concealed carry on some university and college campuses in the state. It's not the first and it won't be the last of its kind.
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The argument against it
According to a site very much against the concept of disbanding the gun free zones in located across the country's 4,400 colleges and universities, the overwhelming majority do not allow lawful concealed carry. They say this "helped to make our post-secondary education institutions some of the safest places in the country," by citing statistics arguing that the rates of homicide on campus is far less than in the rest of the country.
They also cite claims by police lobby groups that responding officers would find it hard to distinguish between lawfully armed students and threats in an active shooter event.
The argument for it
Campus carry groups call all of the above a load of bull chips. Students for Concealed Carry, which backs getting rid of gun free zones in schools nationwide, argues that in the universities and colleges that have allowed the practice, there has been little problem recorded.
In the "more than 150 U.S. college campuses allowing concealed carry for a combined total of almost 1,500 semesters (spring/fall) over the past twenty years. Not one of these campuses has seen a single resulting act of violence (including threats) or a single resulting suicide attempt," says the group.
Gun rights advocates contend that it boils down to self-defense and campus officials are denying that constitutional right to their students.
"The fact is there is no legitimate reason to deny adults, 21 years or age or older, who are licensed by the state to carry firearms for protection, the right to continue to carry when they step on a college campus," said Marion P. Hammer, past president of the National Rifle Association concerning bringing campus carry to Florida this year.
Notably, in a 2014 shooting at Florida State University, one of those injured by a gunman was a concealed carry advocate who was not armed that night due to the statewide ban on guns on campus.
"These license holders have no criminal record, no record of mental illness, no record of alcohol or drug abuse and have had training in the safe use of a firearm. Simply not liking guns, not trusting students and not respecting the constitutional rights of others is not a legitimate reason to prohibit fundamental freedoms," said Hammer.
Success or failure in legislation
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin all allow the carrying of concealed weapons on public post-secondary campuses.
Further, in 23 states the decision to ban or allow concealed carry weapons on campuses is made by each college or university individually: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
Of the 20 states that ban carry, more than a dozen have introduced legislation this year to repeal the practice. However, in many cases, these have been defeated by billionare-backed gun control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action who have dumped thousands into television ads.
Nonetheless, Texas approved the measure this weekend and Nevada is poised to in coming days.
Where do you stand?
Do you back the concept of lawful concealed carry on college and university campuses or feel, like gun control advocates, that it's dangerous?
Either way, reach out to your lawmakers and let them know. There are likely lawmakers in 20 states that can used your input.
The argument against it
According to a site very much against the concept of disbanding the gun free zones in located across the country's 4,400 colleges and universities, the overwhelming majority do not allow lawful concealed carry. They say this "helped to make our post-secondary education institutions some of the safest places in the country," by citing statistics arguing that the rates of homicide on campus is far less than in the rest of the country.
They also cite claims by police lobby groups that responding officers would find it hard to distinguish between lawfully armed students and threats in an active shooter event.
The argument for it
Campus carry groups call all of the above a load of bull chips. Students for Concealed Carry, which backs getting rid of gun free zones in schools nationwide, argues that in the universities and colleges that have allowed the practice, there has been little problem recorded.
In the "more than 150 U.S. college campuses allowing concealed carry for a combined total of almost 1,500 semesters (spring/fall) over the past twenty years. Not one of these campuses has seen a single resulting act of violence (including threats) or a single resulting suicide attempt," says the group.
Gun rights advocates contend that it boils down to self-defense and campus officials are denying that constitutional right to their students.
"The fact is there is no legitimate reason to deny adults, 21 years or age or older, who are licensed by the state to carry firearms for protection, the right to continue to carry when they step on a college campus," said Marion P. Hammer, past president of the National Rifle Association concerning bringing campus carry to Florida this year.
Notably, in a 2014 shooting at Florida State University, one of those injured by a gunman was a concealed carry advocate who was not armed that night due to the statewide ban on guns on campus.
"These license holders have no criminal record, no record of mental illness, no record of alcohol or drug abuse and have had training in the safe use of a firearm. Simply not liking guns, not trusting students and not respecting the constitutional rights of others is not a legitimate reason to prohibit fundamental freedoms," said Hammer.
Success or failure in legislation
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin all allow the carrying of concealed weapons on public post-secondary campuses.
Further, in 23 states the decision to ban or allow concealed carry weapons on campuses is made by each college or university individually: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
Of the 20 states that ban carry, more than a dozen have introduced legislation this year to repeal the practice. However, in many cases, these have been defeated by billionare-backed gun control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action who have dumped thousands into television ads.
Nonetheless, Texas approved the measure this weekend and Nevada is poised to in coming days.
Where do you stand?
Do you back the concept of lawful concealed carry on college and university campuses or feel, like gun control advocates, that it's dangerous?
Either way, reach out to your lawmakers and let them know. There are likely lawmakers in 20 states that can used your input.
