A Deadly Combination
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 bare 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.
COMMENT
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.
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