NEWS Texas Lawmakers Want Conceal And Carry Laws On State Campuses

[lukem]

Two proposals are being heard on concealed weapons on college campuses in Texas this session.

Texas lawmakers are trying to make it easier for students and faculty to carry guns on college campuses, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The first proposal would allow licensed gun holders to carry their weapons on campuses like the University of Texas at Austin. A second proposal would allow them to openly carry their firearms. These two proposals are predicted to be the most controversial gun-related proposals of the Texas legislator’s current session.

As of this writing, only 11 U.S universities allow students and faculty to carry concealed weapons. Since the devastating fatal shootings of 32 students at Virginia Tech nearly two years ago, 17 states have introduced legislation to permit faculty and students to carry guns on campus but all have failed to pass.

“I wouldn’t feel safe knowing that students are carrying guns around campus. I feel as though campus police can handle the job,” Sarah Minidis, a student at Central Michigan University, said when asked about the subject.

Many students like Minidis fear that passing proposals for concealed weapons on campus would raise college crime rates. Additionally, they’re worried that massacres, such as the Virginia Tech slayings, would become all too common.

However, organizations like the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a national grassroots effort with over 36,000 members, are trying to spread the word that such a bill would actually help lower college campus crime rates.

“Notebooks didn’t stop bullets at VT. Return fire would have. Legalize campus carry!” These are the types of slogans for ads running on the SCCC’s website..

Some students feel that having the ability to openly carry a gun on campus would help make them less likely of a target for gunmen. As reported by the Chronicle, Ian McCarthy, an online marketing entrepreneur in Austin said, “Criminals want an easy target. When they see you can fight back, they’re going to go somewhere else.”

Source: College News

[Scarecrow]

glad to see people trying to get this to happen. the students who think that it will just cause more crime on campus really need to be educated better on firearm facts.

[krazyk]

write your rep and tell'em to support it

[Cavalry Doc]

I'm all for CCW everywhere. I'm not personally ever going to open carry, and don't really see the reason in that, but don't mind if others want to open carry.

[HK4U]

My daughter graduated from TCU and she now works there. I would love to see her be able to carry when she goes to work.