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America has become haunted by the specter of deadly school shootings. As we all work to prevent further tragedy, some are advocating allowing students to carry concealed firearms as a means of defense. But would such measures really make college campuses safer?
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Guns Have Already Saved Lives at School
A Real Look at the Issue
To begin, let’s look at the issue again. The issue is whether or not students should be allowed to carry handguns on college campuses. Two of the three examples you have cited are of adults carrying handguns to protect the children and two of the three examples are also citing instances on high school campuses, not college campuses.
So to take out the two misleading examples, we are left with an example of law school students using their personal guns to stop a “rampage”. In this one instance cited, personal handguns were of help in a dangerous situation. And this argument is not to say that handguns are not helpful in certain situations. But when students carry handguns on college campuses, the level of danger is increased. In such a manner, any student may pull out their weapon and use it as a threat legally because handguns would be legal. With handguns legal on college campuses, students have the means to shoot and kill, to take away someone else’s life, right at their fingertips. Self-defense is one thing. But when does the power of carrying a weapon overcome self-defense?
Secondly, a “research poll” from 2000 found that 85% of Americans found it appropriate for a principal or teacher to use a gun to defend students. It is true. The majority of Americans want the lives of their students at school protected. But 85% of Americans have stated that they believe it is appropriate for a principal or teacher to do so. Not a student. If the students are the ones with the weapons doing the shootings, is it really sensible for the students to be allowed weapons legally at school?
- Natalie Marie
February 15, 2009 8:45PM
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Side: No
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The Real issue
I fail to see how allowing students who have a valid concealed weapons permit and are allowed to carry everywhere else in public(depending on the state laws in movie theaters, restaurants, malls, and even bars in some states) is suddenly so much more likely to be violent on a college campus? Firearms are already on college campuses how would allowing those who actually follow the law to carry increase the danger? These adults already carry everywhere else so why would be allowing them to carry across an imaginary line have any effect on their judgment on a self defense situation. You are correct self defense is one thing, but how is not allowing law abiding citizens their right to use the best tools available to protect themselves safer then allowing an unopposed shooting spree.
For your second point how is a 30 year old ex marine (such as the one currently having his rights violated by Western Oregon University) different from a 30 year old teacher. Yet again the people that have concealed weapons permits are adults why is the title of teacher make you any more qualified to defend yourself? It has already proven that criminals don't follow the law and they will carry firearms on to campus no matter what the law says so why not let those law abiding citizens that have the will to defend themselves the legal opportunity to do express their right to do so.
- tenmaster96
February 16, 2009 11:46PM
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Side: Yes
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