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Armed on Campus


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In the aftermath of Virginia Tech, views on campus safety are changing across the country. Many students question just how safe they are, and some others want to take their self-protection into their own hands by arming themselves with conccealed firearms. Collective Journalism brings you a special report on campus safety, one year after the shootings.
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8 responses // Armed on Campus

  • To Patrick Wong of N.Y.U,

    There are plenty of excellent arguments on this topic, both for and against guns on campus. However, saying that guns on campus is the "dumbest, stupidist idea I have ever heard in my entire life" is clearly not one of them. If you have a good point to make, articulate it in such a way that shows you have actually critically thought through the issue. Calling people and their ideals stupid only brings more tempers into the situation, and therefore is counterproductive to the debate. Such closed-minded views and disrespect for the opposing position move us no closer to a solution, and are only enjoyable for those that indulge in them.

    Sincerely,

    Chas Craig of Oklahoma State University
    CCraig7179
  • Extended journalism pieces have a much larger impact because they attribute various views into one reel. The question is, no matter who has a gun would violence like this still take place? Also, does the stress and strain of today's higher educational institutions (with rise of technology and our culture's progression mentality) add to the pressure that makes people snap?

    To those I invited, what do you think?
    jdchristianson
  • very powerful. i think it especially helps since it takes in SO many different viewpoints and accounts of events, it somehow make the message stick a little harder.
    stevetheno
  • I have conflicted views within the aspect of having concealed weapons on campus, as many do. I want to center a response around Jason Piatts comment made recently to the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. Jason stated that we need to understand people who aren't like us. I can only shake my head to this comment. How do we understand these kind of people? Where are these people? Are these people my own friends? These people are all around us and they always will be. We can't see them for what they are and actually respect that Jason. Crazy people are out there and whose to say you could ever actually begin to understand them.
    Don't think that my comment is a directed dis towards you. I just want to uncover a better meaning behind what you have stated. I have served in the military, and have set foot in Iraq. I'm curious to hear your opinion on how to get in touch with or even understand the people that kill our Nations great soldiers. Is there a way to? We can't!!
    Weapons carried by students on campus could be useful in the right hands. But I can see where it isn't. Utah State allows people at the age of 21 to carry concealed weapons? Are you serious? I'm glad to see people at the age of 21 in Utah are so responsible. College kids at the age of 21 attending my University are far from it, and seeing a weapon combined with alcohol. You have to be kidding!
    I was Thinking I was in the right mind to say to a fellow peer not too long ago that veterans and R.O.T.C. should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus. Only after watching this program did I greatly defer my opinion. A caption during the break informed me of the suicide rate of returning soldiers. There are more and more veterans/soldiers killing themselves each day after returning from Iraq. So I can't place a solid statement within our own veterans providing protection for student bodies.
    My opinion is to simply incorporate a security officer within each building on campus. This would make students have a better since of security, as well as eliminating concealed weapons to those incapable of being responsible. I'm sure a response by the university would be centered around a funding issue, but that's another subject that can be addressed later. Let's start somewhere.
    UrScapeGoat
  • If you are going to comment, you need to look at the facts. Fear mongering will not work in this day and age.

    Before concealed carry was allowed in this country, law makers and liberal fear mongering had the people of this country believing that minor traffic collisions and arguments over parking spaces would erupt into gun battles. They made the majority believe that pulling a gun on a criminal would only escalate the situation further. They also had you believe that anyone, anywhere can walk up and get a permit.

    This is not the case. Over the years, we have seen that allowing concealed carry actually lowers crime. Concealed carry permit holders are 5 times less likely to commit any type of crime and 14 times less likely to commit a violent crime than your everyday average citizen.

    While I agree that alcohol and firearms don't mix, attempting to sway the masses opinion by stating this boils down to more fear mongering. I just cannot understand how someone would assume that a person stepping onto a college campus would make them lose all control.

    The proponents of concealed carry on campus is asking for the right of college students to be able to carry on campus. These adults already carry everywhere else in their normal lives. Supermarkets, movie theater's and bowling alley's are attended daily by thousands of concealed carry permit holders. In some states, you can enter a bar with a concealed carry permit as long as you do not drink. Has this caused a leap in crime? No. It has not.

    The fact is that you are taking the idea of concealed carry on campus and allowing your emotion to dictate your response. You are looking at concealed carry permit holders who happen to be in college as children. They are not children. They are adults, 21 years old and up.

    While I agree that getting a security guard to patrol every building would be a great start in school security, this is not always possible.

    Adding metal detectors and armed guards at entrances would stop most firearms from getting on campus and stop most of the threat of mass shootings but at what cost? Body and bag searches every day? Safety at the cost of freedom?

    We already know that firearm free zones do not work to curb crime if the only people heeding the signs are the law abiding. We know that most schools can't afford to put up these extra security measures and we know that most college students would be against personal searches. That leaves one answer. Concealed carry.

    If you think of a better way to protect yourself... please, let me know.
    Ske1etor
  • Fear mongering? Are you serious? I was unaware of my petty involvement. Nor was I aware that my opinions on such a crucial issue would "sway the masses opinion".

    I did not state "that a person stepping onto a college campus would make them lose control". I did not state that carrying a concealed weapon raises crime. I did not state that I have based my opinion on "permit holders who happen to be in college as children". Or even the fact that some are 21. I don't even know a single friend here at my university that has a weapon. Let alone a concealed permit.

    I never once even made a comment stating I was totally against concealed weapons on campus. It says that at the very beginning of my response. I just feel they need to be in the right hands if it involves my university.

    Why would you tell me that I'm letting my emotions dictate my response? Honestly, the only one letting emotions control their response is you. Everyone can voice there opinion on issues. So, I did. Just next time try to read what is actually written, and exclude reading between lines.

    I really don't feel like filling this page up with a debate between two people who may not see eye to eye on this issue. I however feel like I needed to back my own words that you completely took out of context. So, let's relax a little bit.
    UrScapeGoat
  • Are we forgetting the second amendment?
    Brennan5
  • "Fear mongering? Are you serious? I was unaware of my petty involvement. Nor was I aware that my opinions on such a crucial issue would "sway the masses opinion"."

    You are using the same lines as the anti-groups like the Brady Campaign. As far as "Swaying the masses", I meant it more as a generalization describing the anti 2nd amendment way of thinking.

    "I did not state "that a person stepping onto a college campus would make them lose control"."

    Although, you did state "College kids at the age of 21 attending my University are far from it, and seeing a weapon combined with alcohol. You have to be kidding!". In my opinion, that means you distrust people with concealed carry permits even though you don't personally know any.

    "Why would you tell me that I'm letting my emotions dictate my response?"

    I stated that because it is true. Nothing in your comment was based on fact. Maybe the 21 year olds that you know personally are less than responsible but you would be surprised how responsible someone can be when you simply teach them. You assume that the 21 year olds at your university aren't responsible enough. You have no fact to back up this argument. If your opinion isn't backed by fact, then it must be backed by emotion.

    "I really don't feel like filling this page up with a debate between two people who may not see eye to eye on this issue. I however feel like I needed to back my own words that you completely took out of context. So, let's relax a little bit."

    I have no problem with filling this page up with a debate between you and I. If you do not feel like debating it with me that is fine.

    Also, I will be more than happy to relax when college campuses start allowing students and faculty to protect themselves.
    Ske1etor

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