Kansas and Missouri are among 15 “Right to Carry” states that leave the decision of concealed carry on college campuses entirely to each university’s discretion.
However, a bill that passed in the Kansas House March 24 brings public college campuses one step closer to allowing people to carry concealed weapons.
The bill would allow anyone over age 21 with a concealed gun license to bring a weapon to any of the state’s public higher education institutions. The only exception would be if the building has adequate security measures, such as a metal detector.
University of Kansas Opposes the Bill
On the University of Kansas campus, there are signs posted that prohibit weapons inside, but there are no metal detectors. To keep guns off campus, the university would have to install metal detectors in each building.
KU issued the following statement regarding the bill:
“The concealed carry bill as passed would undermine campus safety and security efforts now in place. In fact the number of reported crimes on campus, overwhelmingly nonviolent, is down 34 percent in the last decade, thanks largely to increased police patrol, camera surveillance and educational efforts to encourage students and staff to take precautions to avoid being a victim of crime. Allowing weapons on campus would significantly increase the risk of violence and harm to students, faculty and others rather than making anyone safer.”
Watch this KCTV5 news segment to learn more.
The empty holster protest
This week, college students throughout America are taking place in a silent protest against policies and laws banning licensed concealed weapons on campus.
Gun proponents argue that residents authorized to carry a concealed handgun should be able to defend themselves if the government cannot guarantee their safety.
The protest is sponsored by Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, an organization comprised of 42,000 citizens who believe that holders of state-issued concealed handgun licenses should be allowed the same measure of personal protection on college campuses that they enjoy off campus.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of allowing guns on a college campus? Are they more help to one’s safety or more harm?
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.
Well-written blog, Michelle! This is a really interesting blog. I’m siding with KU on this one. I think gun control should be as strict as possible, especially on a place like a college campus. I was surprised to learn that there is actually a significantly large group of students who favor concealed weapons on a college campus. But my question is, why do you need a gun or any other concealed weapon when you’re attending a class? Those who argue that the weapons are for personal safety should realize that a college campus is usually an extremely safe place, with, like you said, surveillance cameras, safety guards, etc. Thus, carrying a gun causes far more safety risks and potential danger to the students on campus rather than ensuring personal safety to the student that chooses to carry it.
Furthermore, especially as a result of instances like the Virginia Tech and the Columbine high school shootings, colleges and universities should work to ensure that guns and other weapons are kept off campus, no matter what.