by Shawna Mount
With debates and votes occurring across the nation to allow concealed handguns on college campuses, The Mesquite Editorial Board discussed the issue and decided in opposition, 5 to 1. I was the single dissenting voice.
Many oppose guns on campuses because they believe it will cause impulse shootings, increase campus shootings, increase suicide rates, confuse police and have a negative effect on the learning environment.
First off, Texas concealed handgun laws are not as lenient as many seem to think. The law states that a concealed carry license cannot be given to anyone who has committed a Class A or B misdemeanor or a felony. Also, the person cannot be chemically dependent or diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder that is likely to cause a substantial lapse in judgement, mood, perception, impulse control, or intellectual ability.
Concealed carry classes are only 10 hours, but there is a final exam that determines whether or not a concealed carry license will be awarded. Clients must receive 70 percent on the accuracy test and prove that they have knowledge in the proper care, storage and use of the handgun.
According to Violence Policy Center, there have been 23 mass shootings, 35 suicides and 499 killings by concealed carry licensed handguns since May 2007. In comparison, there were 11,493 gun-related homicides and 18,735 gun-related suicides in 2009 alone, according to Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Also, only 1.8 percent of gun owners in Texas have concealed carry licenses and only 30 percent of Americans own a gun as reported by Campus Carry and Gallup.
Police protocol during a shooting is not to shoot first and ask questions later. Officers are to warn anyone holding a weapon to immediately drop it before they choose to take drastic action.
Colorado, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin have already legalized concealed handguns on campus and no additional issues have arisen because of this as reported by National Conference of State Legislatures.
Having or not having guns on campus will not prevent future shootings. With no maximum security on campuses, weapons will be brought into classrooms despite the law.
It has already been proven in several cases that having concealed handguns on campus has the ability to save lives.
For instance, the 2002 case at Appalachian School of Law, a gun-free safe zone, where Peter Odighizuwa, a former student, opened fire in an academic building on campus. After hearing the gunfire, two students retrieved guns from their cars. Odighizuwa dropped his weapon and fled after seeing the armed students. Students standing by tackled him to the ground. There were three deaths. Read more
As far as the effect on the learning environment, each individual decides that for themselves.
