In the editorial ["CampusCarry" Gun Laws -- Safe for Future America?] published by Katie –
founder of the Texas political blog ForSake of Texas – the author expresses her concerns over the potential harm
that will be introduced when laws allowing concealed handguns on campus were passed
by legislature, specifically SB 11, “Campus Carry”.
I whole-heartedly agree with what the author has to say. The
state of Texas already allows the act of carrying a handgun in public places
and local areas. But isn’t extending the limitations to include schools and
universities a little bit too extreme? Katie’s editorial already contains some statistics
of school shootings and deaths caused by surreal criminals. I would also like
to add to those numbers but in a more ironical way – the rate at which suicides
occur. Everyone is concerned about their own personal safety and they think
that by allowing guns in colleges and universities that they would be protected
from others. However, that same gun that was used for protection can be used
against oneself. College is a rough time for young adults. Their perspectives
on life and mentality are not fully developed causing irrational actions to be
taken when invoked by simple emotions such as sadness, stress, depression and
anger. And – what psychiatrists and psychoanalysts have observed through multiple
studies – suggests that society generally acts due to personal, impulsive
emotions rather than hard logic or justice. A suicide report from 2004 and 2005
shows that many suicides occur in southern states (yes Texas is included) –
most deaths around the age of 15 to 24 years old (ages most students in college
would be). A whopping estimate of 32,500 men and women have committed suicide and
the choice of method is indeed by firearms by around 17,000 victims – over half
the amount deaths that took place surpassing other methods such as suffocation,
poisons and ‘other methods’ combined.
“I think it’s a great day for all Texans. It makes Texans
safer. We know that our concealed carry licensees will, as they become eligible
to open carry, will use their best judgement in every situation," gun
proponent Sen. Estes told Breitbard Texas.
I would also like to comment on Sen. Estes “wise” words.
Sadly, in my opinion, there are a few people with pristine good judgement as
the words “best judgement” is skewed through every individual like a game of
telephone. The ability to carry a licensed gun is enough for someone to feel a
gain in power and authority derived from absolutely nothing. In many cases,
authority figures such as the police force are already making headline news with
their infamous use of gunfire and force upon innocent people. If we can’t get
our officers to be using guns “in their best judgement” what makes it
justifiable to let every person with a gun license carry around concealed
firearms on school campuses?
The need to do so is an unnecessary one. Just because you
have a gun doesn’t necessarily mean it will protect you 100% of the time. For
instance, if you were held at gunpoint from behind or if you have been caught
off guard by an approaching criminal with a gun. The act of just reaching for “something”
have caused many criminals to open fire as well as police officers. During such
instances, trying to outsmart your opponent is very risky and the cost of that
risk may be more than just a scratch or bruise.
The risks of allowing guns on campus is potentially higher
than the benefits that will come from the law. Below is another detailed
editorial of mine about the subject of concealed guns on campus.
It's not our fault that we can't protect ourselves from disaster! by Keenan
"This debate has been going on for quite some time now –
“Should Texas allow those with concealed handgun licenses to carry weapons in
public college buildings and classrooms?” If you are talking about on-campus
police officers who uphold the law and bring misdemeanor to a minimum, then
yes. But, of course, this question is addressed to anyone who has a license to
carry a gun. Ironically, knowing that if everyone – who has a gun license – is
secretly concealing a hand gun for personal safety doesn’t seem to make me (or
anyone else) feel safer or protected around campus.
I don’t feel like it is necessary to carry concealed guns
around campus. I don’t mean to sound cliché but schools are places for learning
not a potential shooting ground. Say, for instance, that a school was under
attack by a distraught student threatening to stab anyone who comes his way. “Sure,
I’ll just shoot him down and be a hero” most people would think. As the famous
saying goes, “Never bring a knife to a gun fight”. But what if he has a gun? An
individual would need to consider: Would it be smart to fire into a group of
students who are scrambling away to safety? Is what you’re doing something that
the police can’t handle? In cases like Columbine and Virginia Tech, the police
did fail to handle the situation effectively, claiming the lives of many
students and teachers. But is it worth it to take matters into your own hands?
Successfully taking the life of a potential threat would
bear some mental impact on individuals who have never even claimed a life
before especially students. I believe I could speak for most (not all) students
(and many other individuals) that we are not experienced with taking the life
of another individual. It isn’t daily that we encounter criminals and gun them
down. While on the topic of a student’s mental state of mind, individuals are
more likely to act out due to personal feelings rather than pure justice.
College is a rough time for students learning to find their way to fit into
society and find what they are going to do. The curriculum and workload isn’t
easy either. Stress and depression can easily drive a student to pick up the
gun and pull the trigger in their own dorm room. Some people say those who
commit suicide are weak-hearted/minded people and probably don’t concern
themselves too much about their death, but, hypothetically, the tables turn
once this person turns out to be a close friend or relative. Many people can
also act out due to anger, jealousy, sadness, etc. And what about college life
outside the learning environment? Drugs, parties, alcohol, initiations, rushes,
pranks, etc. are possible events that can lead up to the use of a gun. Also,
those who are not even licensed to have a gun can easily obtain one by taking
it from a friend without their notice or can just simply ask them.
I read a comment on the provided link by a ‘pro-gun’ individual
suggesting that a “major incident” hasn’t occurred yet in schools that do allow
carry-on guns on campus. However, just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t
mean it won’t. There are more risks involved allowing guns in schools than not.
It does not happen frequently that gun shooting occur on campus. And you might
say that people will be more prepared when the time comes when an unexpected
shooter appears on campus. But that could be said for any normal, sane person
who – all of a sudden – snaps or loses control and picks up a gun. If a
homicide did occur on campus, wouldn’t it be easier for the culprit to blend
into their environment or blame it on someone else simply because guns are
allowed on campus?
There is a reason why not all Texas schools are allowed to
carry concealed handguns even though the state allows individuals to openly
carry around firearms. There is potentially a greater risk for problems, crime
and accidents if it was. If a school does experience a shooting, perhaps we
should not blame ourselves for the event for not having weapons on hand but
rather police or law enforcement for their ability (or lack thereof) to control
the situation. Yet we should blame the school or university for their lack of
security/police forces on campus or direct our focus toward Texas government
for their lack of funding towards schools to pay for better security."
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