On June 13th, 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed an open-carry bill passed by the state legislature at, none other than, a shooting range, and signed the campus-carry bill later that day. According to Abbott, open-carry on campuses will not pose any additional problems. Abbott finds open-carry to be a Constitutional right as an American. Even with the ceremony taking place the same day as a Dallas shooting, he stated, "it is no indication whatsoever of empowering people with their Second Amendment right," and that the protests against expanded gun rights were "unwarranted." Open-carry in Texas is risky. Open-carry on public campuses is terrifying. (The Texas Tribune)
As a student at the University of Texas, I can’t count how many UTPD campus alert texts I’ve received about gun threats on campus, and many in highly populated areas. Abbott believes that guns on campus will empower our citizens, and ensure safety, when really, we have enough guns making their way onto Texas campuses as it is. Let’s not forget the mass shooting from the UT tower in 1966, which reporter Pamela Colloff for the Texas Monthly believes to have “introduced the nation to the idea of mass murder in a public space,” with a total of 43 deaths. Since then, our country has experienced more than 250 school shootings. To me, that sounds like guns and schools are a deadly combination.
In fact, college students are probably the last people who should have open access to guns, for reasons being stress over grades, pressure to achieve “success," high depression rates, high uses of drugs and alcohol, all of which lower a students ability to think coherently and increase the likelihood of making rash decisions. For instance, I received a text from UTPD in late April (during finals), warning students of a girl carrying a gun on the upper level of one of our main student buildings. We received an all clear text informing us that it was an attempt at suicide. Yes, under the new law, campuses are allowed to designate “gun-free” zones. However, what happens when a student is seen openly carrying a gun in a zone that is not within those boundaries, whom has violent intent? Will we not receive a warning UTPD text? How do the authorities, and ourselves, know that every student with a gun isn’t intending to use it, on themselves or their peers? And what are the chances that someone else carrying a gun is going to be around to protect themselves and others?
We can’t know. And yes, in the Second Amendment the Constitution protects the Right to bear Arms. However, the times have changed. And school shootings have become much too prevalent. And our guns have grown more deadly. So I think, Governor Abbott, that students attend college to carry books, not guns. For a gun only teaches one thing, and that is to shoot.
It is of great concern that school shootings have increased over the years. Students expect to be safe from harm while being on campus and expect UTPD to do their job to ensure security. I do agree that students encounter stress throughout the school year with grades, becoming the best, having depression, and using drugs and alcohol. However, it is not to say all students who experience stress will automatically make a rash decisions. The majority of students go through stress but will manage it. I think those who already worked for their concealed handgun license should be allowed to carry their concealed weapon on campus. They do not let just anyone obtain it. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, in order for a person to obtain a license, he or she will go through a criminal background check and will receive training from certified instructors (https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/chl/). Also, the best approach is to not prevent people from having guns, it is to issue it to those who are mentally stable, have training to properly use a gun, and go through an extensive background check.
ReplyDeleteI am compelled to agree that it is a mistake that Governor Greg Abbott signing the open-carry bill. To see the issues with the bill from the perspective of a student gives you more insight into honest concerns of students carrying handguns. The “deadly weapon” is giving citizens the entire power of the second amendment. How many unnecessary concealed handguns are already in school? Making it into a bill for citizens to carry a concealed handgun to schools would be far more dangerous. The blogger gives insight as a college student and perceives college students in time of being stress, dealing with alcohol and drugs, might not be smart to give them the right to carry a concealed handgun. It questions those student’s integrity and intentions of using their guns properly by obeying the law, which would be just for it to be used in case of an attack or any other emergency.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion about Governor Greg Abbott’s idea towards this bill, is that it would be encouraging more shoot outs. This blog obviously needs to be heard especially because it comes from a student. Like myself, as a student, I will have to agree with not giving the power to students to carry a concealed hand gun. We have security in our premises, let’s give them a shot in their jobs, to protect us.
I have to disagree with this argument. I attend UT during the long semester and there have been many times that I have received warning/emergency messages from UTPD about violent behavior and threats especially near Guadalupe which so happens to be the street I have to walk to get to my parking garage. The most recent one I received stated "UTPD searching for subject who displayed a knife at 2400 Guadalupe. Male subject in tyedye shirt." How are students supposed to protect themselves from this kind of situation?
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of restrictions put on who may or may not receive a handgun license that exclude people with certain backgrounds from being eligible such as:
Felony convictions (permanent) and Class A or B misdemeanors (5 years, permanent in cases of domestic violence), including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication.
Pending criminal charges (indefinite until resolved)
Chemical or alcohol dependency (defined as 2 convictions for substance-related offenses in a 10-year period; 10-year ban from the date of the first conviction)
Certain types of psychological diagnoses (indefinite until the condition is testified by a medical professional as being in remission)
Protective or restraining orders (indefinite until rescinded)
Defaults on taxes, student loans, child support and/or other governmental fees (indefinite until resolved).
In my opinion, the people that go through the legal process of getting their handgun license, etc. are responsible enough to carry a gun for protection. Most likely, the people that are going to cause harm with a weapon would bring one regardless of the rules, so unless campuses throughout the states are going to check each and every student as they walk on campus, which is very unlikely, having a weapon for protection on campus is necessary.