States Allow Guns on College Campuses
Is it Safe to Allow Guns on College Campuses?
Many college students have permits to carry concealed weapons, and many more could be permitted if they applied, so, if it's within the law, and the constitution says we are allowed to bear arms in the Second Amendment, why ban them on college campuses? Banning firearms on campus is supposed to prevent school shootings, but I guarantee that a criminal or a student who really wants to bring a gun onto campus and fire, will do so whether he is permitted or not and whether there is a ban of firearms on campus or not.
Now, that more states are starting to allow firearms on college campuses, anti-gun moms, politicians, and school faculty are having a fit. But, remember if a student, teacher, or guest on campus wants to bring a gun and start shooting, he will whether he is allowed to have the gun on the campus or not.
By allowing guns on campus, it gives students and faculty the ability to protect in case of an intruder with a gun wants to go on a rampage.
The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), quotes that:
There is no credible evidence to suggest that the presence of students carrying concealed weapons would reduce violence on college campuses. In fact, we are concerned that concealed carry laws have the potential to dramatically increase violence on college and university campuses that our Members are empowered to protect.
Why Allow Guns on College Campuses?
The controversy has been around for years, the NRA fighting to protect gun owners and their Right to Bear Arms. Even though the organization is built to protect our Constitutional right, anti-gun politicians and moms have fought to reduce the rights of gun owners.
Banning guns on college campuses, where many students and faculty are probably legally allowed to own a concealed weapon if they already don't have the permit, you're restricting that right to carry your concealed weapon. The bans on college campuses are meant to protect students and faculty, but what happens if the only thing that will help protect them is a gun? Or what if when walking out of a night class alone, and a stranger comes up to your daughter and tries to harm her? If she had a gun, she would be able to defend herself, if it came to that.
Well, banning firearms on campus is generally a nation-wide ban, even though you'll find each state will have extremely varied gun and firearm laws. It's just a common thing. No mom wants her son shot, much less while he's at school, but does that mom realize that her son may be saved from a gun-slinging maniac by another student who is carrying a gun on campus?
More states are considering this scenario, and we've already seen a few states change their regulations on firearm bans on college campuses.
Which Schools Allow Guns on Campus?
Guns do not mean kill, not even in times of protection and self defense. You can easily shoot a mugger in the foot if he gets out of control, giving you time to get away without harm.
If you're interested in which states allow firearms on campus before you go to school or before your child does, check out the short but growing list of states that have bills pending that will overturn the policy banning firearms on university campuses.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington
Utah is the only state right now that already has a policy allowing permit holders to carry guns on campuses of its nine public universities.
South Dakota recently tried to overturn their policy prohibiting guns on college campus, but it was denied. They are still trying to push the issue though, so given time South Dakota (and the other states) may be joining Utah.
Kentucky's proposed bill will allow students and faculty to keep their firearms concealed in their private vehicles.
So, you'll find that 38 states and the District of Columbia prohibit guns in or around public schools. Sixteen of those states strictly prohibit guns in colleges and universities.