Should Guns be Allowed on College Campuses?
What wo
uld happen if all the students inhabiting Bloomsburg University were to carry guns throughout campus? College students are constantly being challenged and the wisdom of allowing guns in the classroom is yet another question for these students to debate.
One state in particular, Arizona, widely known for its gun friendly ways are pushing for three bills this year focused on allowing guns on college campuses. Some gun rights activists believe that professors and others over the age of 21 should be armed around Arizona campuses. Some even believe that grade school teachers ought to be armed as well.
Arizona’s proposal to loosen restrictions on campus came after the Tuscon shooting rampage that left six dead and 13 wounded. Administrators and campus police chiefs at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona have all expressed opposition to allowing guns on their campuses. Faculty members are also in participation by circulating petitions and many students also appear opposed.
Although many people are against the issuing of guns on college campuses, the state’s powerful gun lobby is pushing relatively hard. This year’s proponents believe they might even have the thrust to get it done. Critics of the bills believe keeping guns out, not allowing more in is the key. Others contend that allowing guns on campus will ensure that universities stay relatively peaceful.
According to New York Times, Anne Mariucci, chairwoman of the Arizona Board of Regents, the governing board for the State’s Universities said she would prefer that universities be places where disagreements are resolved by debating, not squeezing the trigger. “Yes the world is a dangerous place these days, but I don’t think you fight fire with fire,” says Mariucci. “I don’t think that bringing guns on campuses is the image of the peaceful, civil discourse that universities are supposed to be about.”
Legislatures nationwide are concerned about the potential of deadly campus shooting and discussions regarding this controversial topic have surfaced through the media. Gun control advocates believe that Texas is probably most likely to pass such a law with Arizona trailing right behind. It seems as though we’ll have to wait for the jurisdiction of this law before decide whether allowing guns on college campuses is a good or bad idea.
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