2008 Woodie Awards
Guns on campus: right to self-defense or threat to safety?
Brian Moloney '08
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Opinion
In the wake of the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University school shootings, a Villanova University graduate student has raised the question of why those licensed to carry concealed personal weapons may not do so on a college campus. His argument is based upon his desire to adequately defend himself should a violent incident occur.
There are very few colleges and universities in America that allow the presence of firearms or other weaponry. Some argue that such restrictions conflict directly with state laws that govern the carrying of concealed weapons and violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
In public universities, the issue is certainly open to debate, as exemplified by a 2006 Supreme Court decision that struck down a Utah state law banning concealed carry at state universities.
For private universities like Villanova or Saint Joseph's, the argument over the permissibility of this rule is effectively pointless, as such institutions are able to forbid certain practices that are permitted under state or federal law. The argument is not whether private institutions can outlaw concealed weapons, but whether they should.
Personally, I have trouble seeing how allowing students to carry weapons on campus would alleviate the threat of violence that exists in populated, highly-trafficked areas like universities. The likelihood of an armed student being in the right place at the right time to stop an outbreak of violence seems slim. The risks that accompany the presence of firearms in a crowded area, though not enormous, are simply unnecessary.
I am not against civilian ownership of firearms; that's an entirely different issue. Also, this argument does not stem from a general fear of guns. By dint of my tenure as a Boy Scout, I have been instructed in the care and use of firearms and the relevant safety protocols; while this experience does not make me an expert, it has made me unafraid of guns themselves.
There are very few colleges and universities in America that allow the presence of firearms or other weaponry. Some argue that such restrictions conflict directly with state laws that govern the carrying of concealed weapons and violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
In public universities, the issue is certainly open to debate, as exemplified by a 2006 Supreme Court decision that struck down a Utah state law banning concealed carry at state universities.
For private universities like Villanova or Saint Joseph's, the argument over the permissibility of this rule is effectively pointless, as such institutions are able to forbid certain practices that are permitted under state or federal law. The argument is not whether private institutions can outlaw concealed weapons, but whether they should.
Personally, I have trouble seeing how allowing students to carry weapons on campus would alleviate the threat of violence that exists in populated, highly-trafficked areas like universities. The likelihood of an armed student being in the right place at the right time to stop an outbreak of violence seems slim. The risks that accompany the presence of firearms in a crowded area, though not enormous, are simply unnecessary.
I am not against civilian ownership of firearms; that's an entirely different issue. Also, this argument does not stem from a general fear of guns. By dint of my tenure as a Boy Scout, I have been instructed in the care and use of firearms and the relevant safety protocols; while this experience does not make me an expert, it has made me unafraid of guns themselves.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
NateIndianaUniversity
posted 3/12/08 @ 3:03 AM EST
Your argument that an armed student MAY not be in a classroom where a gunman begins a rampage, could very well be true, but the fact remains that an armed student MAY be there to halt a madman. (Continued…)
empty holster
posted 3/12/08 @ 2:51 PM EST
"The idea that a student could single-handedly stop an incident of violence is far fetched."
Would you rather that a student could go on a rampage and kill 31 others before taking his on life unopposed? If just 1 student had been present at VT COULD he have made a difference? FAR FETCHED YOU SAY? Humbug
Wildfire
posted 3/12/08 @ 5:00 PM EST
"While the University has taken prudent steps to establish a warning system should some sort of incident occur..."
I can hear the warning system now:
"ATTENTION Student in Building G7! ATTENTION Student in Building G7! There is a murderer killing ALL STUDENTS in building G7. (Continued…)
Bruce
posted 3/12/08 @ 8:07 PM EST
"The likelihood of an armed student being in the right place at the right time to stop an outbreak of violence seems slim."
So, What? Would you choose 'none' rather than 'slim'? Interesting. (Continued…)
Zachary
posted 3/12/08 @ 9:45 PM EST
The Facebook group "Students for Concealed Carry on Campus" has 879 discussion topics and 21,572 members. Thank god college care about their rights.
Scott
posted 3/12/08 @ 10:46 PM EST
What's a poor liberal to do? They give us annoying back-up beepers and train whistles. They make school buses stop at every railroad crossing. They lobby for ridiculously low blood alcohol levels. (Continued…)
Rebecca
posted 3/16/08 @ 5:16 PM EST
What not keep some sort of self defense device in each classroom that the teacher or certain students have access to incase of an attack. There might be time to use it and there may not be, but it would be better than nothing. (Continued…)
Don
posted 3/24/08 @ 6:49 PM EST
My concern is for my family and myself. I leagly carry a concealed weapon.
It seems every day that someone somewhere is killed, schools, malls, sidewalks the list goes on and on. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 4/02/08 @ 10:43 AM EST
"The likelihood of an armed student being in the right place at the right time to stop an outbreak of violence seems slim."
Perhaps some idiot considering a massacre plot would think twice about his level of success if he knew that one or more of his intended victims were armed and would not hesitate to shoot him as soon as he started his malevolent act. (Continued…)
Post a Comment