Thats true maybe someone couldve stopped him sooner had their been armed students. But then again how often do mass murderers go on killing sprees? More people will die every year from accidents and incidents like the one the man in the video described than multiple Cho's could ever kill.

Utah has had a similar law on the books since 2004 and there have been no killings or gun accidents that have been reported so far. More importantly there have been no shoot 'em-ups.

The father who lost his daughter to a gun-related accident is an isolated incident, and his appeal is an emotional one and not necessarily a logical one, based on the afformentioned Utah law.

What do you think happens to people who shoot, maim or kill a cop, ANY cop, under any circumstance, anywhere? Ever hear of "throwdowns" , guns placed beside bodies by police and used by cops to justify shootings of unarmed citizens? Sorry, your argument for open or concealed carry won't work where law enforcement is concerned, and could even get you killed quicker.

in your opinion is it better to die on your feet shooting or your knees BEGGING?

Cops would respect you more I bet. There are more of us than there are of them, and the majority of gun advocates aren't crazed killers. Plus cops don't actually seem to be able to stop any of these shootings anyway, given the fact that they often stand down in these school shooting events.

Are you really that scared of getting attacked? Stop buying into the whole culture of fear that the media portrays. Guns dont bring you safety. If anything more guns would mean more death... youre way more likely to get killed by your own gun than by a random stranger.

I learned to handle a Gun before I learned to handle a Vacuum Cleaner. I have a CC Permit not because I expect to be attacked, but because I want to be prepared in case I am.

No thats not the point hes making. Hes saying that college students are immature and irrational and that more guns would only lead to more trouble. Drinking/drugs do NOT get along well with firearms.

This might come as a surprise, but in the South, South-West, & Mid-West MANY Democratic politicians also support these types of measures.

Cmon they arent all bad. Dems arent exactly saints either.

Its not putting guns on college campuses. They are not distributing guns. If someone is going to unlawfully shoot someone, do you think they care if its legal to have the gun on a campus? This law is to allow law abiding student the ability to legally protect themselves against individuals who do not abide by laws.

Well said!

It IS about putting guns on campuses... there arent any there now but there will be if you make it legal. How could that possibly make it more safe? Tell me how often do you see mass murderers go on killing sprees on campuses? Maybe a few times a decade? If guns are allowed on campuses then you better expect accidents and crimes of passion to skyrocket. Itll be MORE dangerous than it already is. Stop buying into the culture of FEAR. The world isnt that scary.

Right because college students are models of self-restraint. Allowing guns on campuses is insanity.

It will just put guns in the hands of folks who would not have them under the current law. Meaning anyone who abides by the current law does not have a gun. Anyone who is crazy enough to shoot and kill someone illegally will have a gun no matter what the law. Killing is illegal why do you think they would care about any other law? Thinking any other crime would increase because responsible gun owners are allowed to have them is pure speculation.

The Cops I know have no problem with the LAWFUL carrying of weapons by law abiding citizens, because they KNOW the person who would shoot them for a routine traffic stop could care less about whether or not they can have a gun legally.

So are you saying that the campuses all need pat downs and metal detectors. Its a little different in an open air campus. The point of this is to allow students to carry a gun for protection. Without this only the crazies with guns will be armed. It is just to allow law abiding citizens the right to protect themselves.

that crazy argument is bullshit i've lived in Philadelphia for 25 years and it wasn't the good part either and i never needed a gun. life is not as scary as you might think. there's no reason for guns on campuses because of fears of what could happen.

Why would you want to stop someone from carrying a gun because you don't think they need one? Anyone who is going to commit a crime with a gun does not care if it is legal to have the gun in the first place. All these laws do is prevent smart gun owners from carrying a gun.

were talking about a college campus with kids as young as 17. responsibility and your average 17 year old do not go hand in hand.

Yes a college campus has 17 year olds, but there are also 65 year olds. Removing someone's right to self defense based on fear is unjust.

Basically what you are saying is you lived in the ghetto for 25 years and was lucky/BLESSED enough to never be robbed, raped, or murdered. I wonder how many of your neighbors could say the same?

None of which would prevent a VA TECH or Columbine scenario.

Proof?

and having guns on campuses would

It will also be difficult to prove that having more guns on college campuses will prevent future incidents... it may even increase the numbers of gun violence.

Interesting note on the shooters for Columbine and VA Tech... they all committed suicide after their rampage. They were ready for death before they started. It would be hard to prove that MORE guns in the classroom would have deterred them from what they did.

One could make an argument that there might have been fewer deaths at the hands of the gunmen, but what about the overall numbers of gun violence on campuses if we allow students to carry? Would these young adults know how to approach a chaotic situation if a gunmen were to open fire? Is it possible that a student defending himself would be misidentified as one of the crazed gunmen? Lots to consider. I don't think simply adding more guns to the equation is the answer.

Sam, if I'm reading the intent of your statement (pro-guns) right, it isn't relevant.

Nobody and nothing can prevent a scenario like that. When one person decides it's time to check out and take as many people with him as possible, he'll get his rounds off while you're still fumbling with the Velcro on your holster.

More importantly, this was an accidental shooting.
A drunk college kid at a party showing off his gun.

Booze. Guns. Hormones. Youth. Which one of those, if taken off the list, would result in that young lady still being alive today?

Mr. Cowie is a common sense man that recognizes public dangers -- dangers that are common sense to anyone but an NRA gun fetishist.

Can you explain why the young man, who now has the guilt of murder on his conscience, even let his gun see the light of day during that party? Why would he have gotten it out, loaded and all, why?

I'll answer for you. Because it was there, Sam. Because it was there.

He thought it would impress the people around him or for a split second considered it a toy or a project or a tool. He forgot, for a split second, that it could kill instantly. He forgot, for a split second, that it was loaded. He forgot, for a split second, that the people around him weren't experienced with guns.

And because the gun was there and out -- for just a split second -- in a place where it has no business being -- for even a split second -- a young lady named Ashley is dead. She doesn't get to come home for Christmas. She doesn't get to go to the Homecoming game. She doesn't get to bring her laundry home to mom.

And the boy, he has a lifetime of guilt ahead of him. And that's teed up with a prison stint. Bet he didn't see that on syllabus.

If you're one of these NRA gun fetishists, then keep your guns at your home, Sam.
And leave them there.

Mr. Cowie is a brave and strong man. Listen to him. Keep your guns away from his other daughter and all the kids at school. Your guns make dangerous people lethal. Your guns make irresponsible people lethal. Your guns make momentary lapses of judgment lethal.

So, when things like this happen, it's no longer one person and a gun. You, and people who think like you, own it.

Which means that was your son, Sam.
And your daughter.
And your gun.

Of course, if you're not an NRA gun fetishist, ignore everything I just said.

What part of "GUNS KILL PEOPLE" DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS DIE FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS IN OUR COUNTRY. IN ENGLAND, A DOZEN PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE EVERYONE DOES NOT HAVE GUNS.

Here is an example where it did make a difference to have armed students. Sorry it is from wiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_School_of_Law_shooting

I am not an NRA gun fetishist or member. Look at the link I gave to Wake Up above.

All of what you describe is reactive, not proactive. Reaction cannot prevent, it can only contain after the fact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_School_of_Law_shooting

Check out the link above.

duh guns don't kill people people do
stupid gun nut crap
it's like saying fingers don't kill people bullets do
guns have one purpose and thats to kill things
and fix your caps lock i think it's broken

Which is exactly why it should be legal to carry a gun. If someone would have legally been carrying a gun at VT then the shooter could have been stopped sooner.

If someone would have legally been carrying a gun at VT then the shooter could have been stopped sooner. Laws preventing guns on campus only stop law abiding individuals from carrying a gun. If someone is going to kill out of anger or insanity then hey are not concerned with a gun law. The individual who likes to follow the law and leaves his or her gun at home is prevented from protecting themselves against these shooters.

I realize that there would be individual instances where it would be beneficial, but I am saying that adding more guns in colleges could increase gun violence overall. I am also saying that these crazed gunmen would not be deterred by other guns because they already have a death wish.

look i have no problems with guns they have their place but it's not on campuses. the benefits don't come close to the risks.

i saw it thanks

I beg to differ. Offering mental health services and keeping students informed of and alerted to dangerous behaviors is quite proactive. Preventing mentally unstable people from purchasing guns is extremely proactive.

And what are the risks?

do you really have to ask
did you watch that video

No law against guns would have prevented that from happening. Guns are not allowed on that campus now. That was also a shooting that took place at a private residence that involved college students. What risks?

I agree.

Adding more guns could potentially decrease violence as well. The crazed gunmen would inflict less harm as happened at the Appalachian Law School.

Offering mental health services and keeping students informed does not stop the shooting from happening. Preventing mentally unstable people from purchasing guns may prevent or reduce casualties--but these people can still buy from private citizens.

Why would we take away a responsible person's ability to defend themselves and hope that counseling and alert systems would do the job instead?

if it's legal and there's more guns then the chances of this happening again goes up

We disagree, friend.

your reasoning that we need guns on campuses for protection is ridiculous their were only 11 deaths from school shootings last year. i mean with that reasoning we all should be wearing helmets cause more people die from a trips and falls

My reasoning is this. The second amendment allows responsible people to defend themselves, anywhere. The shooting at the Appalachian Law School is an example of how campus casualties can be reduced by responsible self defense. To deprive citizens of their rights based on the fear of something happening smacks of the Patriot Act.

your talking about a rare case where it was a success. i will never believe that having guns in college is beneficial in any way. i'm done man cause were just

well you send your kids to those schools that allow guns and i won't easy fix

What?

why does it seem like to be a republican requires you not to have a heart

The fear response is stronger than the compassion response for most solipsists. It's just their nature. I'd rather starve to death in company and share the last crumb. A Republican would prefer to eat the other guy and live a little longer.

Sad but true for way too many of them.

OR A SOUL, OR ANY PATRIOTISM.

What does this have to do with a political party?

it's in the video

Republican Compassion = Postpone the evil deed.