The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: ericire12 on October 13, 2009, 01:24:06 PM
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http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/article.asp?article=4258
Concealed carry protects students, saves lives
Andrew Baldwin, Staff Writer
Campus safety has been fervently debated since the Virginia Tech and other recent school shootings. However, though a controversial issue, concealed carry of firearms on college campuses would provide the most effective protection for students, faculty and staff.
Those against this idea argue that firearms on campus will result in increased violence and firearm accidents and will distract from the educational environment. I believe it is important to look at this issue from a logical and factual perspective.
First of all, let me explain what it takes to get a concealed carry permit in Oklahoma. You have to be at least 21 years of age in order to apply. You also have to pass a thorough background check.
Furthermore, you have to complete a training course that covers all aspects of concealed carry. This includes proving that you know how to handle a firearm and that you understand the laws and rules that apply to a concealed carry license.
This means that on campus, only the trained and licensed upperclassmen, graduate students, faculty and staff would even have the option.
The concerns raised by opponents of the issue lack a factual foundation. They claim that allowing people to be armed on campus will lead to violence, but real world examples have shown this to be completely false.
Schools that allow concealed carry have not reported any incidents of gun violence, gun theft, gun suicide or gun accidents since the implementation of such policies. Students with guns can actually prevent or stop a school shooter. In 2002, a disgruntled law school student at Appalachian School of Law brought a gun to campus and began shooting at students and staff.
At the sound of gunfire, two students ran to their cars where they each had a handgun locked inside. They approached the gunman and ordered him to drop his gun. After seeing that they were armed, the shooter dropped his gun and was restrained until the police arrived.
Imagine what might have happened if one of the students at Virginia Tech had been armed. 40 states, including Oklahoma, have approved concealed carry.
In these states, approximately one percent of the population has a concealed carry permit.
Universities, schools and churches are some of the few places where guns are banned.
Murderers know that everyone will be unarmed and will be unable to stop an attack. Therefore, it is time we consider allowing those with concealed carry licenses to protect themselves and others on campus.
Ranger Up: Lets all drop this guy an email and send him some words of encouragement. This type of statement in a collegiate environment needs to be supported. Let him know that he is right on target and encourage him not to be silenced:
Andrew Baldwin
collegian@utulsa.edu
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Done.............and happily so, I might add............thanks for posting, Eric.
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http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/stats/cw_monthly.html
Recap: since 1987 there has been 1.6Million CCP issued. Currently there are 600k active. Of these people only 167 have ever committed a crime involving a gun.
Now tell me that people whom carry are the dangerous ones!