Shouldn't college students be allowed to have guns on campus if they have CCW permits?

Question

Sadly, Virginia Tech's thoughtless policies caused the victims to be unarmed:

BLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech's recent action against a student caught carrying a gun to class could draw unwanted attention from groups already angry about firearms restrictions on public college campuses.

University officials confirmed that, earlier this semester, campus police approached a student found to be carrying a concealed handgun to class. The unnamed student was not charged with any crimes because he holds a state-issued permit allowing him to carry a concealed gun. But the student could face disciplinary action from the university for violating its policy prohibiting "unauthorized possession, storage or control" of firearms on campus




http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/xp-21770

Answer 1

YES!

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry guns wherever they deem necessary especially if they have the appropriate permit. It is a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to bear arms.

Criminals don't obey laws....that's what makes them criminals. Why should law abiding citizens be prevented from exercising their constitutional right simply because criminals break laws? It makes no sense!

"Disarm the innocents so they may be slaughtered." That seems to be the mantra of the gun-control lobby.

Answer 2

Schools get to call the shots, same as churches, same as offices, same as shopping malls, same as bars. It would be a very unusual community that would allow firearms within 100 yards of any school or church, and I believe it's also a matter of federal law, but you're welcome to do the research.

As a long-time NRA member, I don't like the idea of anyone on campus with firearms, even if they have qualified for a CCW permit, unless it is done with the specific knowledge and approval of the school administrators (which is not going to happen except for community police who are assigned there). The school administrators don't even want the liability that comes with hiring armed guards from private security firms.

Something else to think about.........The whole CCW thing has done well. All but two states now allow some form of concealed carry, with almost NO problems. Still, a few states have ancient CCW laws, like Indiana (since 1925, when Auto-Ordance Corp sold Tommy guns by mail order and the U.S. Postal Service delivered them to the buyer's door). That's the truth. No problems reported in Indiana, but should they be checking their state law to be sure it's current?

Answer 3

There was a guy who called into a news station I was watching earlier, and he thought that students should be able to carry guns on campus.

I am neither for nor against guns on campus (personally, I don't like the idea, although I believe most people who have guns are law-abiding citizens, but I'm hardly pro-NRA or anything like that, and I think there are just certain environments that people should not have guns, ESPECIALLY in dorms) but I was floored when this guy went so far as to call the unarmed students "cowards" for not defending themselves.

I'm sorry, I know that's not what you asked, but I felt I had to add that in.

As for gun control on campuses, I just don't think it will help to allow students to carry firearms on campus. It's like pepper spray and how people don't think a woman will have enough sense to use it on an attacker in the event of an attack... who knows what one's reaction will be when faced with a killer, armed or not?

Not only that, but I think most reactions in a situation like that would be to protect one's peers, not getting out a gun and blasting the shooter.

Also, on a personal note, I live in Virginia and anyone with half a brain can get a gun, no questions asked. As long as the firearms makers are making money, right?

Answer 4

I wish next time a madman starts shooting, there is another student carrying a concealed gun to kill the madman after 1-2 victims, not after 32. That student would be a hero, and saving lives would worth facing any disciplinary action.

Answer 5

when on school property, you must abide by the rules and regs. when you go to the airport, though funding may be from public resources, you are NOT allowed to carry a weapon at all unless you are a peace officer of some kind on an assignment and are registered with the NTSB office of that airport. same situation in "public schools." think beyond your personal rights...look to the fact that not only are guns/weapons not allowed on campus, but illegal drugs and alcohol are banned from campus and classrooms. not only is this a good system, it is a lifesaving system in the bigger picture. if campus police (actual police or security force) had stopped the person who was carrying a concealed weapon, fully permitted by state law, he/she would still have been removed from campus and rightfully so. maybe HE'S not going to go on a rampage, but his weapon could be forcibly taken from him by someone else who is on a rampage. enough.

Answer 6

I think a better solution is security checkpoints at entrances. Like in court.

I'm not envisioning a classroom full of angry college students with guns as a good thing. I could just be getting old.

Answer 7

It's only illegal if you get caught. I carried a gun all the way through college and I never had a problem and I didn't have a CCP.

Answer 8

It should be the state's decision, not the government's
But if there had been more armed students the tragedy could have been prevented.
Maybe allow students to carry guns but only non-lethal ammo.
If they were allowed to use bean bag rounds or rock salt they could have taken out the madman without killing him and saved many lives.

Answer 9

I know in this case it may have stopped some of the deaths, but carrying guns around like old west cowboys, wouldn't have stopped this guy from starting a massacre. He was insane. How many people per year, do you think would be killed in accidental shootings if thousands of college students were armed? Drunken after-game parties would end up in tragedy MUCH more often than 33 times a year.

Answer 10

I believe that any licensed individual, has been given, and should be allowed to exercise his right to carry a concealed weapon at any time, and any place. Should this have been the fact at V-Tech, it would not have prevented the shootings initially, but could have very well ended them a lot sooner, thus saving lives.