From:
http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/201...r-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-139572
Staff Editorial: Guns on campus allow for self defense
BY:
STAFF EDITORIAL
Monday, March 21,
2011 - 9:58 PM
Lifting the gun ban at Nevada colleges would provide students with a level of necessary protection and safety on campus.
Current university policy is that in order to bring a firearm to campus, one must get special approval from the president. If passed, S.B. 231 would allow certified permit holders to carry their weapons on campus, giving students and faculty opportunities for self-defense on Nevada campuses, some of which are located in high-crime areas.
Nevada university officials are unfortunately opposed to this bill, and we ask that they reconsider and join the support of allowing its campus community to protect itself.
Students should not have to leave their Second Amendment right to bear arms at the schoolhouse door.
While the blue emergency lights on campus are great, some say they are not enough.
As Amanda Collins testified to the Legislature last week, the service would not have helped her when she was raped by James Biela in a University of Nevada, Reno parking garage in 2007. She said she would not have been able to reach the blue light emergency button had it been there, but could have pulled her firearm.
Aside from individual situations, a campus carry law could deter mass shootings, as seen on campuses around the nation in Northern Illinois and Virginia Tech, among others.
A person may be much less willing to bring a gun to campus to use against students who may be carrying firearms themselves.
A gun ban makes students sitting ducks, leaving them prime targets.
While opponents of the bill, including university administration, argue that a campus carry allowance could lead to more violence, no such evidence of that as a possible consequence has been shown.
Historically, school shootings have been at the hand of an individual who brings a gun to campus regardless of any law.
On another token, there should be an addendum added to the bill. As administrators are correct in pointing out, alcohol, rowdy unsportsmanlike conduct and weapons, do not mix. Firearms should not be allowed at sporting events.
But college faculty and students are educated enough to make responsible decisions regarding the use of firearms at college campuses. State laws that require training and certification further enforce this idea of keeping gun-owners educated.
It is the responsibility of institutions to protect its students and staff, and prohibiting self defense through use of legal firearms if necessary goes against that safety commitment.
The Nevada Sagebrush can be reached at
editor@nevadasagebrush.com.
