Firearms are a very profound subject to speak about due to violence and other issues behind them. College students are already aroused and stressed to do extraordinary in their courses. Would consenting untrained students to carry concealed weapons around campus be such an enticing idea, when at any moment someone could lose their mind and go on a shooting rage? One may never know what kind of background that specific being that carries a concealed firearm has. In reality no one knows what kind of effect this would have towards universities or college campuses, but it could result in a students’ academic performance. Weapons on university campuses would create a vast interference towards the education of college students; an individual might never know who is carrying a concealed weapon or what that person might organize to do. Students would be alarmed to speak up in class or anywhere around the campus for that matter. Concealed Weapon Carry should not be allowed in universities because students are immature, it would be a risky environment, and permit holders are not always lawful citizens. Opponents believe “armed by standers can save others, protect themselves from harm and have the right to the second amendment” (Skorton and Altschuler 629). Students for Concealed Carry argue that firearms are in a person’s daily life, “Are students afraid to sit in three-hundred-seat movie theaters knowing that statistically speaking, as many of their fellow moviegoers may be
Annale Renneker also discusses why concealed carry is necessary on college campuses today. Most college campuses are “open”, meaning that practically anyone can walk on to them and many buildings do not have metal detecters or security guards (Renneker 1). She cites the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy where the shooter was not even a student at the college, he simply walked on campus undetected and shot and killed 33 people before killing himself (Renneker 4). It is not difficult for one to enter a college campus and cause harm with a firearm if they intend to do so, anyone who has been on a public American college or university campus has seen non-students passing through at some point. She also cites the Department of Homeland Security’s
Guns and schools just don’t mix. Of course, this could be arguable from both sides. Only nine out of our fifty states allow guns on campus. Most private universities have the choice to decide if they want to allow concealed weapons on campuses. As for public institutions with the law in its state, they have no choice. Public institutions only have control of what buildings are limited. There are numerous reasons that it could be beneficial, but it can also be a complete catastrophe just waiting to happen. In today’s society, people feel the need to be more protected because of what’s going on in the world. There have been many reported incidents in regards to guns being abused on school grounds. Guns end lives, so it’s imperative that we understand the rules and why they’re so important. In order for people to really understand the pros and cons of having guns on campus, they first must began to understand its safety hazards, retaliation and prevention mechanism.
Concealed handguns would NOT detract from a healthy learning environment: counter acts point one when the SGFS stated that students would feel uncomfortable for not knowing which of their professors concealed a weapon. SCCC argues that unless every campuses entrance have an X-ray or metal detectors, students would clueless who is concealed and who is not. Point two, only 1% of the population is permitted to conceal a weapon which is 1 person out of 100 people. So the point that students would be afraid and miss out of the opportunity to study when they were not able to carry out a full discussion or heated debate is invalid. Point three, where SGFS stated that in 1999 studied, more American citizens are anti-gun law on college campuses. SCCC argues that these data are old and took place when gun law are mostly enforced in the battlefield at the time of survey. Therefore, it is not valid for today society on gun control issue. In addition, the survey are
Concealed weapons would not only cause a distraction from learning of college students but it will also cause a distraction moviegoers from enjoying movies or office workers from doing their job. This would also would also increase the number of suicides. Research shows that 90% of suicides are committed off campus and most college students 21 and up live off campus. 21 is the minimum age to carry a concealed handgun license in most states. Wondering whether or not the people around in class, or the professors, are secretly carrying a loaded gun is slightly undermining and could be harmful for a positive learning environment. Someone looking to attack a school or university campus is on a mission with little concern for their own outcome, so the possibility of other people being armed wouldn’t be a strong leash. Concealed guns being present in class could serve as distraction and a fear for students, overcoming the gun’s ability to possibly serve as protection in case of a threat. having a legal concealed carry is a personal decision for many people in consideration to their individual safety. This is why handguns should not be permitted on college
The idea of Concealed Carry arms at universities is a controversial topic for both students and faculty on whether guns should be allowed or banned on campuses throughout the United States. The idea of Concealed Carry Arms is a controversial topic because it represents both protection and fear as no one knows who has a weapon, whether they have it legally or even if they know how to use it properly and safely. Also, nobody knows of someone else’s intentions with Concealed Carry Arms as they could use that gun for protection or murder. The idea of allowing Concealed Carry Arms on campus is a controversial topic that could affect universities and campuses in the United States.
Concealed carry and college campuses are two major topics currently in the media, yet these two topics are rarely used in unison, until now. The topic of whether or not concealed carry should be allowed on college campuses is a now mainstream debate with multiple views and numerous differentiating opinions. Many of the general public question if campus police is capable enough to protect a university’s enormous student body? Another commonly discussed issue is if concealed handguns actually do deter crime, and if they are capable of aiding in stopping a mass shooting spree? Or if guns on campus, carried by fellow classmates would make students as a whole feel more cautious or on the opposing hand make students feel more secure with guns carried on campus? If guns are allowed on campus, how will this affect a growing student’s ideology? These questions and many more are highly spoken of in our social media based generation, the answers to these questions help to improve our knowledge on this debate of concealed carry on college campuses, which will lead us to form our own individual opinions on this debate topic based on the facts and evidence presented.
For example, the SCCC, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, believe a gun could save many lives where if there was not one present, many could die. College campus’s are usually safe, but horrible incidents such as violence and rape can occur: “Recent high-profile shootings and armed abductions on college campuses clearly demonstrate that ‘gun free zones’ serve to disarm only those law-abiding citizens who might otherwise be able to protect themselves” (Students for Concealed Carry). One cannot deny that just showing a gun could alter a shooters plan and prevent them from doing more damage. However, they should not be allowed because as previously stated, anyone could have a weapon at any time, leading a constant feeling of uncertainty and lack of safety. Frederick Steiner, a former University of Texas professor questioned, “How do you criticize someone when you know or suspect that they have a firearm? Having been in those situations, people can lose their tempers. That's not a situation where a firearm would enhance the experience” (Visser). If students and teachers have firearms, others could feel uncertain and watch what they say to others, not wanting to risk being shot for saying something too harsh. Although a firearm can protect from a shooter, it can also cause thoughts of supremacy over other classmates and a lack of safety for the gunless students. A gun
Gun ownership in the United States is one of the most controversial issues today. The US ranks #1 in gun ownership based on number of guns per capita with 112.6 guns per 100 residents (2014). Lately, there is the so-called American gun crisis due to a series of mass shootings that are becoming more frequent and deadlier. Now, and more than ever, gun ownership is on the hot seat after the shooting in San Bernardino, California. And with this, we tackle the debate over concealed carry – its pros and cons.
The first arguement for concealed guns on campus comes from insiderhighered.com written by Kaitlin Mulhere. She states that so far eleven states are discussing on being able to carry a concealed gun on campus. There has been at least one bill that has been suggested in about half of the fifty states within past few years for guns on campus. So far, seven states have made laws allowing guns on campus. Kaitlin says that there are two views on the issue. One being that it is a constitutional right for one to be able to carry a gun. The second being that it will make campuses safer from shooters and other criminals. It was brought up in the beginning that armed people on campus could commit a mass shooting which worried many people. Kaitlin
Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Debate over permitting or restricting the concealed carry of a firearm on college
If college campuses legalize the right to obtain a concealed weapon there could a risk of escalation in violence on college campuses. Allowing college students to carry a concealed weapon on campus makes for many opportunities of potential misuse of the weapon. According to the Journal of American College Health, most college students don't have experience shooting or holding a gun, therefore, they could make a mistake and unintentionally harm somebody or even themselves. Granting college students access to guns will pose increased risks of incidents of self-injury, accidental shootings and even murders. The University of Louisiana system shows that evidence also indicates that the presence of concealed weapons on campus would increase the likelihood of
The people that are for concealed weapons feel that it is their right to carry. That it is a right granted to them by the United States Constitution. That government should not be responsible for protecting them at every turn. That it is their own right to protect themselves and their family. They are independent and wish to be independent from the government.
Due to the recent upheaval of violent crimes on campus, many pro-gun activist have suggested that both the students and teachers should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus. Those for this may claim that their rights have been violated because many college campuses refuse to allow weapons of any kind on campus. It is not the right to carry a gun which is in debate here, but rather it is whether or not guns should be allowed on a college campus. The Constitution of The United States of America already grants citizens the right to carry guns, and being in the south, I am by far no stranger to seeing a gun from time-to-time, but it is not appropriate for guns to be in a vulnerable area such as a college campus. There are already too many guns available to the public, and allowing them on an educational facility would greatly increase the likelihood of injury or death. Americans, as previously mentioned, have the right to bear arms, and this should be held sacred, and not infringed, taken away, or limited. However, stricter firearm control should be implemented for those who chose to carry a concealed weapon, and gun control should be done by having stricter certification processes before a firearm or gun permit is issued, intensive psychological evaluation for the person or persons applying for a gun permit or a gun,and greater educational requirements for gun owners and firearm safety.
To begin, a large portion of people support the right to carry a concealed handgun, but there is still a portion of people that do not support it and for good reasons too. For example, although there is requirements that need to be met in order to acquire a concealed weapons license dangerous people can still get them. This is a big problem because the more dangerous people that get a concealed weapons license the greater the chance of a crime being committed or a death occurring. In correlation to dangerous people obtaining guns, another reason to be against the right to
Guns have been accepted in society for many years now, even before the second amendment provided U.S. citizens the right to bear arms. Conflicts can arise with having the ability to carry around a gun. Guns should not be encouraged tools in a college setting. If students try and bring guns on campus it could cause fatal incidents to happen. If someone has a disagreement they could possibly shoot someone. Educational campuses should be safe and gun free especially when it comes to the youth. Also there is no need to have a gun on hand if there are law enforcements on campus.