Texas Students Push For Campus Gun Rights
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Texas Students Push For Campus Gun Rights Save Email Print
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(July 13, 2008)--College students in Texas are pushing for legislation that would grant them the right to carry guns on campus in the wake of the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech.

Utah is the only state that specifically allows the carrying of concealed weapons at public universities.

Colorado State made a similar decision after a 2003 state law let schools create their own policies.

Texans won the right to carry concealed weapons in 1995 after an emotional legislative debate., but the right doesn’t extend to college campuses.

Now the state is caught up in the new national debate to change that law.

Republican state Representative Joe Driver of Garland recently held a hearing on the issue and said he plans to introduce a bill to remove college campuses from the list of places where guns are prohibited.

But he says he’s not sure the bill will get enough support to pass.

Rice University Police Chief Bill Taylor told the panel that the limited amount of training provided to concealed handgun licensees doesn't prepare them to do the job of law enforcement officers.
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Posted by: The Patriot Location: Texas on Jul 15, 2008 at 06:41 PM
I believe that people like John E, LN and others on here including myself that have CHL and carry are mature & have been out of college for "more" than a few years. I think the concerns however, Like MadMax (whom I know from his posts is a law officer) and others ... we're talking about the majority of college students are 18-24 yrs old. Do you remember you college years? The partying, drinking and brawls that goes on ALL The Time could pose a big problem if "everyone" has a gun on the them. Let's face it, many partying/drunk college kids can't make the good judgments as us older folks can. Just a thought.....
Posted by: LN Location: Robinson on Jul 15, 2008 at 11:34 AM
You already carry on campus with a permit anyway. You just can't go into the premises, as defined by the State statute. I don't see why the campus administrators are all gummed up on the issue. If they look at the Virginia Tech case where the parents of the slain kids are/were suing the ever living crap out of them for not allowing concealed carry they might change their tune.
Posted by: John E. Location: Salado, TX on Jul 15, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Look what happened during the Katrina catastrophe... some of the police ran for the hills and basically left the tax-paying citizens to fend for themselves. I have a CHL and carry my firearm with me where I am legally allowed to carry it. I should be able to carry it with me to college classes if I so desire, so I hope this bill is passed. If something bad starts while I'm in a college class and the police decide they aren't interested in helping, I want the option of being able to defend myself and others, if needed.
Posted by: Anna Location: Temple on Jul 15, 2008 at 08:33 AM
I agree that students should be able to defend themselves after all of the school shootings, but what about the ones who take it upon themselves to abuse it? The "outcasts" who usually shoot the schools up. They'd just have easy access to do what they want. I'm torn on the issue.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 at 07:02 AM
--Rice PD Chief Bill Taylor said that having a CHL doesn't prepare somebody to do the job of law enforcement officers.-- Well, I carry and I NEVER think of myself as a law enforcer. I carry to protect myself in a last resort situation. I am not bound by any oath or duty to take ANY action. Trust me, I don't want to be a hero. I'll slither out the back door if possible.
Posted by: ROBERT Location: CHINA SPRING on Jul 15, 2008 at 06:27 AM
WARRENvsDC ruled that police are NOT required to protect you. that is individuals responsibility. the RKBA is individual right and if you want to have a CHL on campus excersize your RIGHT. CHL holders have to takes classes and pass background checks. most are upstanding citizens, and you would never know they carry until its needed. i will excersize MY right to bear arms, and you can excersize yours not to bear arms. it has been proven time and time again...GUN FREE ZONES= KILL ZONES.
Posted by: Kenneth Location: Waco on Jul 14, 2008 at 06:57 PM
I hope it passes. I remember the paranoid hysteria before the original carry law passed and how we were warmed of bloodbaths in the streets. Those STILL haven't happened after 10 plus.
Posted by: Madmax Location: Killeen on Jul 14, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Should not happen... It will be abused.
Posted by: dude Location: texas on Jul 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM
as long as muffy and skip get the proper training before carrying, im ok with it.
Posted by: Tony Location: Waco on Jul 14, 2008 at 09:13 AM
news hound, I agree that all instructors should have the right to arm themselves. Their rights are no differnet than the students. However, this is not about the opinions of the employees on campus. This is about the students and their right to be able to protect themselves. If I'm not mistaken, there was an instructor's (Professor G. V. Loganathan) life at Virginia Tech that may have been spared if he, or his students, would have been armed and been able to defend themselves againt Cho.
Posted by: LN Location: Robinson on Jul 14, 2008 at 08:54 AM
news hound: IF you were to look at the statistics on people who are licensed to carry, they show that licensed citizens commit less than 1/10th of 1% of crime. And that is available on the TX DPS website, as required by the Texas Legislature. With those odds, I'll take concealed carry ANYTIME! If the liberal professors wish to quit, then that will be fewer of them that won't be against our rights.
Posted by: LN Location: Robinson on Jul 13, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Let's see, get shot like a fish in a barrel or be able to defend yourself? I'll take defending yourself!
Posted by: Tony Location: Waco on Jul 13, 2008 at 06:10 PM
We, as U.S. Citizens, should have the right to carry ANYWHERE, especially these days when criminals are looking for easy, defenseless targets! This is a right granted to us by the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. These days, there are no safe havens from criminals. Therefore, we should be able to defend our lives and the lives of other citizens anytime and ANYWHERE.
Posted by: news hound Location: waco on Jul 13, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Hopefully if the legislature passes the bill for students to carry on-campus, then all of the instructors should be allowed to carry uzis to protect them from a frustrated or upset student. I know several instuctors (professors) that said if weapons are allowed in the classroom, they will take early retirement or change professions. Maybe our illustrious legislators need to talk to employees on campus and get their feelings.
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