Some GMU students want to carry guns ...

No it would not. Look at Switzerland which has one of the highest gun ownerships in the world yet a very low crime rate. They ARE an armed society.

"The Swiss army has long been a militia trained and structured to rapidly respond against foreign aggression. Swiss males grow up expecting to undergo basic military training, usually at age 20 in the Rekrutenschule (German for "recruit school"), the initial boot camp, after which Swiss men remain part of the "militia" in reserve capacity until age 30 (age 34 for officers). Each such individual keeps his army-issued personal weapon (the Sig 550 5.56x45 mm assault rifle for enlisted personnel, the SIG 510 battle rifle and/or the SIG-Sauer P220 9 mm semi-automatic pistol for officers, medical and postal personnel) at home with a specified personal retention quantity of government-issued personal ammunition (50 rounds 5.56 mm / 48 rounds 9mm), which is sealed and inspected regularly to ensure that no unauthorized use takes place.[1] In some 2001 statistics,[2] it is noted that there are about 420,000 assault rifles stored at private homes, mostly SIG 550 types. Additionally, there are some 320,000 assault rifles and military pistols exempted from military service in private possession, all selective-fire weapons having been converted to semi-automatic operation only. In addition, there are several hundred thousand other semi-automatic small arms classified as carbines. The total number of firearms in private homes is estimated minimally at 1.2 million; more liberal estimates put the number at 3 million. Police statistics for the year 2006[3] records 34 killings or attempted killings involving firearms, compared to 69 cases involving bladed weapons and 16 cases of unarmed assault. Cases of assault resulting in bodily harm numbered 89 (firearms) and 526 (bladed weapons). This represents a decline of aggravated assaults involving firearms since the early 1990s. Some 300 deaths per year are due to legally held army ordinance weapons, the large majority of these being suicides. The majority of gun crimes involving domestic violence are perpetrated with army ordinance weapons, while the majority of gun crime outside the domestic sphere involves illegally held firearms.[4]"

[1]David B. Kopel and Stephen D'Andrilli, "What America can learn from Switzerland is that the best way to reduce gun misuse is to promote responsible gun ownership." (American Rifleman, February 1990)
[2]Swiss Foreign and Security Policy Network
[3]polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik der Schweiz (PKS)
[4]Killias M., Haymoz S., Lamon P. (2007), La criminalité cachée en Suisse et ses répercussions sur l’opinion publique: situation actuelle et évolution des 20 dernières années, Berne: Stämpfli (2007); Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 22 March 2007, 29 November 2007.

I will say it again because you obviously ignored it.
"The commom criminal is a coward. He is out for opportunity to better himself at the expense of others with little attention as possible."
AND
"The least amount of attention is what the criminal wants. Getting "upgraded" weaponry is not what he would do. Rifles, SMG's, etc are much harder to conceal and would stick out like a sore thumb and thus make a criminal act in that regard pointless in a truly armed society. A firearm is a firearm regardless of it's size or firepower." A criminal knowing that civilians own weapons will find some other form of criminal activity or quit altogether.

so you really dont think that if, as i said in my first post, that everyone had a gun, that the common criminal would not change? If everyone had guns the standards by which your pulling statistics would change. criminals would not just go away, they would change to match the situation.

"having everyone packing would lower crimes, but for how long? thats the question, if the common robber uses a pistol, and everyone has a pistol its only time before said criminal upgrades, its an arms race of sorts."

Another "what if" situation with no basis of logic or fact. The commom criminal is a coward. He is out for opportunity to better himself at the expense of others with little attention as possible. Hence why do you not see criminals commit these acts out in the open in front of everyone if they are so bold? Guns thwart would-be victims an estimated 2.5 million times a year. 92% of those instances require the defender to merely brandish or fire a warning shot for the criminal to flee. Also criminal interviews state they are more afraid of an armed citizen than police officers. The least amount of attention is what the criminal wants. Getting "upgraded" weaponry is not what he would do. Rifles, SMG's, etc are much harder to conceal and would stick out like a sore thumb and thus make a criminal act in that regard pointless in a truly armed society. A firearm is a firearm regardless of it's size or firepower. "Quantity is a quality all in itself" -von Clausewitz "On War."

Source: FBI, Wright and Rossi "Armed and Considered Dangerous: A Survey of Felons and Their Firearms"

having everyone packing would lower crimes, but for how long? thats the question, if the common robber uses a pistol, and everyone has a pistol its only time before said criminal upgrades, its an arms race of sorts.

"The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the
United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined."

The non-firearm rate juvenile violent crime rate in the U.S. is twice that of 25 other industrialized nations and the infant homicide rate is 3.5 times higher and thus we have a violence problem not a gun problem. Non-firearm related deaths outrank gun deaths 5-1 (80.2%). The CDC, a federal agency, found that children were more likely to die in this country from automobile accidents, pools drownings, fires, suffocation, being hit as a pedestrian, other forms of transportation (planes, trains, boats), falling, poisoning, and natural disasters so why don't we ban those things too? Also boys who own guns legally have much lower rates of delinquency, drug use, and misuse of that firearm.
Source: Center for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

"There are so many loopholes for people who want to obtain a firearm without the hassle of going through a background check."

Yea it is called the "Black Market." It exists. It is not Hollywood fiction like you put out against guns. There are millions of guns that never had to be registered LEGALLY because they were grandfathered in under the Gun Control Act of 1968 if you had a clue. Also private sells of non-NFA firearms are LEGAL as well between two people. Yet depending on what state you are in it is already illegal yet it still impossible for the government to enforce it unless you don't mind the violation of your 4th Amendment rights.

"For instance, if one is selling guns privately at a gun show—that vendor is not required to perform background checks on his customers. Guns are getting into the hands of children and criminals causing more unfortunate accidents where innocent bystanders’ lives are put into jeopardy."

WRONG AGAIN!! More Brady lies! Have you ever been to a gun show? Being to many AND purchasing firearms there every gun selling vendor is an FFL and therefore must go through the same background process as if he was in his store. This is a federal law. Sells of one individual between another is still legal and these sells consist of hunting or curio & relic weapons firearms between collectors not criminals. These weapons are not the type of firearms favored by criminals. Also since there are police officers and BATFE agents at every show if they suspect a so-called "illegal" sale they stop it. The FBI did a study and found NO GUNS obtained from a gun show were ever used to kill cops. Less than 1% of "crime guns" were obtained from gun shows. Also only 5% of metropolitan police departments believe gun shows are the problem. 93% of all guns used in a crime were obtained ILLEGALLY!
Source: FBI, Department of Justice, BATFE

You have yet to provide a link (not-biased) of proof making what you say correct. You only give me ignorant, emotional rants. Also you obviously ignored my previous post that criminals will obtain their guns no matter what laws are in place. No background check, waiting period, or ban will stop them. Why do you think D.C. and Chicago with gun bans have the highest crime rates in this country? CRIMINALS DON'T OBEY LAWS!! Also the only way a child obtains a gun is from a negligent parent and there are already laws against that practice yet it still happens. Which means laws do not prevent, nor have they ever.

The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the
United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined.

There are so many loopholes for people who want to obtain a firearm without the hassle of going through a background check. For instance, if one is selling guns privately at a gun show—that vendor is not required to perform background checks on his customers. Guns are getting into the hands of children and criminals causing more unfortunate accidents where innocent bystanders’ lives are put into jeopardy.

"College Republicans at George Mason University in Virginia think they can reduce gun violence on college campuses by being allowed to carry concealed weapons. I know that this is the attitude of a lot of "Americans, but I am flabbergasted. I think"

Let's see 38 states with "shall-issue" and 2 states with no need a permit to carry have had murder rates go down 8%, rapes down 5%, and aggravated assaults down 7% compared with states with no conceal carry or "may-issue" which is essentially "no-issue" have crime rates 11% higher than the national average. Also in those "no-issue" states robberies are 105%, murder 86%, assault 82%, violent crime 81%, auto theft 60%, and rape 25% higher than states without them. I think you need to do some research before you spit out your woeful ignorance on the subject at hand.
Source: John Lott/David Mustard study, FBI Uniform Crime Reports 2004.

"I think the best way to end violence is to get rid of guns and bombs and stop thinking of all your neighbors as evil people who want to do you harm (and no, I'm not naive about crime)."

Obviously you are because no civilization in the history of mankind has ever created a society free of the criminal getting whatever weapon he desires. Guns and bombs are here to stay whether you like it or not and your idea is at best naive and Utopian for it will never ever happen. Violence is a part of humanity. You cannot erase what is naturally in our genetics and heritage as well as what has been happening since time has begun and what essentially will happen for future generations to come.

"With that said, the thought of a wild drinking party in a frat house full of pistols or a college football stadium full of rabid fans with glocks scares the cr@p out of me! Having ready guns everywhere makes the possibility of accidents and crimes of passion much more likely to occur."

Do you have any proof of this? Where are your sources for this wild emotional rant making what you say true? That is what I thought. Do you even know the process of getting a CCW? Obviously not because then you would not make that irrational statement. Let me inform you a bit. To even get a CCW you must have a clean record. No felonies or even certain misdemeanors (including drinking). You must submit your fingerprints and fill out an application of all your personal information which is then sent to NICS to make sure what you say is truthful and that you are mentally fit to carry. Even before you get it you must go through a process very much like driving school. You sit in a classroom where an instructor teaches you all the laws regarding CCW, how to properly use and store your handgun, as well as conflict resolution so pulling out your gun is a last resort. Just like driving time with the instructor you have range time depending on how many hours and how many times you hit your target. The people who go through this process already know the laws governing this practice and being drunk while carrying is one of those which can get your CCW revoked so I doubt they will act in your regards of "crimes of passion" since CCW holders are responsible people to begin with. Being a former student of GMU I am all for this practice since they (College Republicans) are not asking for everyone to be armed but those who want to be responsible for their own self-defense. George Mason would be all for it too since he states it in his many quotes of wisdom:

"Who are the militia, if they be not the people of this country...? I ask, who are the militia? They consist of now of the whole people, except a few public officers."

"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."

"That the people have a Right to mass and to bear arms; that a well regulated militia composed of the Body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper natural and safe defense of a free State..."