What Does Open Carry On Campus Ground Mean?

On August 1, 2016, senate bill 11 (S.B. 11) was put into effect, which allows for the carrying of concealed handguns on Texas public institution campuses by license to carry a handgun (LTC) holders (Campus Carry UTSA). There has been lots of controversy over this new law, especially since there were 23 shootings on college campuses in 2015 alone. In this essay, I plan to explain the stipulations of this new law and why it is controversial.

August 1 marks the day which the state’s new Campus Carry law was enacted. This law which comply with Senate Bill 11, has authorized a licensed holder to carry concealed handgun at University of Texas at Austin and other public universities in Texas. The implementation of this law have risen controversy between the stakeholders which are the faculty members, students, parents, staffers and alumni. In regard to this, President Fenves has assigned a Campus Carry Working Group to guide the implementation of Senate Bill 11 which complies the law and at the same time ensuring the safety of the campus.

Putting our faith in the hands of strangers is like putting guns in the hands of our enemies. Our country is determined to find ways and prevent shootings such as the one at UT, but by making campuses a concealed carry zone, they are only enhancing the possibilities of it occurring more often. People often argue that the concealed carry law on college campuses ensures the safety of its students. Even though students will be able to defend themselves

Many students and faculty members fear that allowing weapons on campus may cause tension and hostility or even cause minor situations to rapidly escalate. Others feel as if open carry on campus is missing link to reducing the number of school shootings across the country. When it comes to allowing firearms on campus, some of the most important factors to consider are: how active shooter situations will be handled, why it is important to be on alert, and should first responders be the only one responsible campus safety.

Allowing concealed weapons on campus has been around for several years now. Sides such as, Students for Concealed Carry, who advocate for the right to carry on campuses and the other opposing such thing. Former, Students for Concealed Carry Director, David Burnett wrote an article about the reasons as to why students should be able to carry on campuses. Burnett was the director for the group in 2011, he wanted to get the word out about this cause during his time. Burnett wrote several articles about the reasons to why students should be allowed to carry on campus. Also the websites states, “state-issued concealed handgun licenses should be allowed the same measure of personal protection on college campuses that current laws afford them virtually everywhere else.”(1) Burnett states this into his article because under the new law, only those who have a concealed handgun license would be able to carry. Those with licenses can freely carry in movie theaters, grocery stores, banks, shopping malls and even churches so why should a

The law that still exist until the new law takes effect in 2016/2017 said “Individuals are prohibited from possessing or having a firearm on the physical premises of a school and any event hosted or sponsored by the school, and cannot have it in a passenger transportation vehicle Concealed weapons permit holders are subject to this prohibition with the following exceptions.”( Laws concerning concealed firearms on Texas ' campuses) The armed campus website has a link so you can read the whole bill passed that becomes in effect August 1, 2016 for all state 4-year colleges and universities and August 1, 2017 for all state

The sate of Texas perhaps is seeking to give all college students the right to protect themselves while they are outside of their homes, due to all of crime and corruption going on. However the state of Texas is also looking into passing this law not only for students but also professors and staff of the university or college. However in order for students to be able to carry a handgun they need to have their CHL license and must be 21 years old. I do not agree with this decision at all. I myself as a college student will not feel safe walking around campus knowing that any of the students walking next to me could have a handgun. What if student provokes a another student and he is in a possession of a handgun, he could feel in power to take

All the issues facing Texas, my major concern for the state was the ability to carry guns on campus. I mean, Universities are dangerous places. Controversial math classes, sorority bake sales, wiffle ball tournaments, foreign exchange students, and books. So many books. We should shoot them...the books. In fact, we should do away with universities and just teach self-defense classes and how to survive in the wilderness. I'm not saying I am against it but why allow them in college campuses? We go to school to learn and feel safe. This is why now I take online classes because to be honest I get frightened and even though many college and university campuses have said no guns allowed, there is always going to be someone who will bring one and

Fernandez claims that, “Supporters say it will make college campuses safer by not preventing licensed gun owners from defending themselves and possibly saving lives should a mass shooting occur, such as the one that unfolded at Virginia Tech University in 2007” (Fernandez 1). If someone wants to protect themselves why would you want to stop them? If they are trained and responsible and could possibly save lives would you want to be the person to stop them and say no? For example, say a student sees a problem going on in the parking lot of the campus. And the student knows they can stop it because they have a weapon in their car. The student can then grab the gun and try to stop the problem before it gets out of hand. Your car is an extension of your home. This provides safety for college campuses because they know that the students and teachers carrying those weapons are responsible and trained and can possibly save lives if a shooting were to occur there.

Texas Senate Bill 11, known as “Campus Carry”, is causing much controversy at the University of Texas at San Antonio. This law allows for those with concealed carry licenses to carry their firearms in permitted campus grounds given the fact that they have a concealed carry license. The senate voted it in on June 13, 2015. The law will enact on August 1, 2016. This law will enact whether or not students approve. As it may seem, many students are not happy with the law.

Many people claim that the rights to bare arms is open to interpretation, but no matter your interpretation of the law it is stated in plain english: “right to bare arms”. As in right to protect ones self. Actually the amendment goes as far as “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”. During the revolution many of our founding fathers feared a tyrannical government that would infringe on the “original right to self defense”. Fast forward to the present and granted we have had extreme weaponry advancements that they would have never of foreseen that the does not change the fact that we have the right to defend our selves wether it be an AR 15 or a slingshot. By Texas law passing this new SB 11 legislation they are merely following the constitution and any university who does not allow concealed weapons is infringing their students and faculty second amendments

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.

People now have to watch their surroundings everywhere they go because of careless or harmful people around them. In 2007 at the University of Nevada, a student was leaving class and a man with a gun attacked and raped her (Wiseman 53). The student would have used the gun as a form of protection to keep the man from raping her. However, the state law in Nevada would not allow the student to carry a gun on campus; therefore, she could not protect herself from the armed man (Wiseman 53). In Texas, anyone over the age of twenty-one can carry a concealed weapon on college campuses (“Guns on Campus…”). Some college students might be over twenty-one, but that does not necessarily mean that they are responsible enough to carry a concealed weapon. In the newspaper article “Guns on Campus…” states, “…Texas and several other states are arguing as they…allow concealed handguns on public college campuses, even if the college officials are adamantly opposed…A proposal with a good chance of passage in gun-friendly Texas…” Legislators in Texas think that since criminals are bringing guns on campuses, college students should have firearms to keep people from attacking the campus. Even though a college student is caring a gun does not mean they are going to keep people from attacking the campus, but the weapon will protect

Conflicts between students do occur, and in one of those an irrational action can be taken resulting in using a gun. Even with rules, there are people who are not mentally prepared for the rules; “We’ve already seen so many instances where people get hurt because there are guns in schools” (Fernandez 4) Even though there are regulations such as only licensed people are eligible to carry a concealed gun, there isn’t anything that has been stated that there will be checks if that is their gun. There are 50 percent of people who support having guns on campus that will obtain one by someone who is eligible, and take it to campus without being checked if it’s their gun. Someone who isn’t mentally stable is able to obtain a concealed gun without having to purchase one, or was unstable after they bought a gun and can just snap; “The 25 year-old architectural engineering major and ex-Marine–who had previously complained of searing headaches and depression” (The UT Tower Shooting 1). Charles Whitman was mentally unstable that led him to commit the fatal action. To avoid an experience like this there should not be concealed guns on campus. Although there have been past experience of a student bringing a gun, there are other alternatives such as metal detectors or more security. A gun is thought to be used in self defense, but college is the moment of stress and anxiety among 18 to 25 year-olds in which they still make irrational actions; “Opponents say the notion that armed students would make a campus safer is an illusion” (Fernandez 1). Students stress out over exams which will cause them to do extreme actions, such as using their gun in a class discussion. Guns will not make the campus safer it will just increase the risk of a shooting to

Beginning August 2016 concealed handguns will be allowed on campus, which in my opinion is not a good thing. College students should not be allowed to carry handguns on a university campus because it is not safe. College students like myself stress out and sometimes do not think clearly which, is also a leading cause of irrational thinking or behaviour. Texas has had one school shooting within this past year and two within the last four years. Guns should not be permitted on college campuses due the fact that college students are the most stressed out individuals, college is meant to be a safe environment, and it will degrade the name of the University.