Campus Communities Respond to Campus Carry

Campus Communities Respond to Campus Carry

By: Rilee Wong

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS - Texas State students express their thoughts on the campus carry law in effect after interviews across campus and other campus communities.

The campus carry law went into effect in August 1, 2016, allowing those who have their concealed handgun license to carry on campus. It has now been roughly 2 years since the law went into effect, Texas State sends out a class to gather individuals’ thoughts and feelings on how this law has or has not affected the campus community.

Victoria Reyna, 19, is majoring in criminal justice at Texas State. Her major allows her to be well educated on the gun laws like these and has her confident in her feelings on the issue.

She thinks of her future kids and feels that sending your child to school where you know the teachers have guns is just too “risky.”

The fear of it being too risky having your child at a school with guns around is not the only emotion members of the community have. It is also important for the community to feel educated on the laws to help better understand their emotion towards the law.

Summer Tierno

Summer C. Tierno, 30, a well-educated member of a Mississippi campus community feels that through the years she has been gradually more knowledgeable on these gun laws. “Working in higher education for several years and just completing my classes and comprehension exam for my PhD,” said Tierno, “I know a sufficient amount of information on current campus carry laws for my state, Mississippi, and other states.”

Aside from being educated on your states campus carry laws it is also important to understand there are people who believe that arming teachers, make them feel less safe. Nathaniel McGuff a member of the Fort Worth, Texas community shares that he feels less safe since the law has been enacted.

Melanie Schuchert

“I feel less safe,” Said McGuff. “NYPD hits 20% of the time with their guns, and they’re trained professionals. I don’t trust my fellow student or the school faculty with a gun in a high-stress situation.”

Along with feeling safe or not another factor to consider is what students or members of the community feel would happen if the law was not in place.

Melanie Schuchert native to Katy, TX provided how she feels the law could change or not change situations involving concealed weapons.

“In the end, a policy alone will not prevent someone from bringing and using a weapon, if he or she chooses to do so,” said Schuchert.

Even though there are people who have their doubts and fears, there are individuals who believe

that stand behind this law and believe that it does make a difference. Bryan Parks, a member of Texas Deer Association, is one of those individuals.

Bryan Parks

“I am for concealed hand gun licenses, there’s people every day who save people’s lives because they a gun on their person,” said Parks.

Although each individual has their own thoughts and opinions on campus carry, students on campus continue to express that they feel no difference since the law has been active.

Texas State Student Nidia Mendoza is one individual who shares how she does not see a change in campus atmosphere nor seen anyone practicing their right to carry on campus.

“I haven’t seen anybody carry a gun on campus other than UPD,” said Mendoza.

With all of this discussion about campus carry it all comes down to having each part of the communities’ thoughts, feelings, and concerns accounted for.

Communities continue to encourage people to stay well informed of the laws in their areas and let them know their concerns and comments are valued.

Campus Carry Divide Two Years Later

Micah Cavender

MicahJCavender@gmail.com

Texas — Two years after the campus carry law was passed, students still hold conflicting views regarding the necessity of the law.

When the law passed in August 2016, the initial reaction was divided.  Some students were fine with the law being passed, others were vehemently opposed to it and some forgot the law even passed.

Elliot Golden, a former Texas State student, could not recall the law passing.

“It passed?” Golden said.  “I heard something about it once before in reference to a protest on the UT campus.”

Golden, a 23-year-old veteran feels that this law shouldn’t have been passed as it makes campuses unsafe. “Why do people need guns on campus?” Said Golden.  “With everything we have seen in the last few years with mass shootings, I think we know that guns more often create issues than solve problems.”

Ryan Carnley, a Texas State senior shared a similar opinion. “It doesn't make any sense why you would want students to have guns on campus.” Carnley said.  “I don't think having more weapons on campus makes it any safer.”

He even recalls one of his teachers that year said she would quit if the law was passed.  “Guess she’s no longer a teacher here.”

However, some students this the law passing is was a great idea for campus safety.  One of these students is Taylor Moody, a 23-year-old Texas State sophomore.

“Law abiding, American adults to be allowed the right to carry their firearms.”  Moody said.  “Especially considering recent tragedies.”

However, Jordan Crawford, a Journalism Major thinks the extra requirements for obtaining a license won’t do much to prevent unqualified individuals from conceal carrying.

“A little, but not by much.”  Crawford said.  “People can have poor judgement when they are threatened or scared, so people might be inclined to use their gun when it’s not necessary.”

Zachary Fowler, a Texas State graduate is comfortable with students carrying on campus.

“If a student is responsible enough and has proper verification I think it's ok.”  Fowler said.  “The verification process from my understanding is pretty elaborate so I think that alone weeds out the irresponsible individuals.”

Clay Shetters, a supervisor for a local Home Depot thinks that this isn’t only an issue for college students/faculty to consider.

“I don’t go to the university often but events that happen at the school also affect the community.” Shetters said.  “I live in San Marcos and I work with a lot of college students and I know some people did not feel comfortable.”

However, Shetters think the law has potential to swing in either a positive or negative direction.

“I think there are bad people in the world and sometimes it would be ideal to protect yourself from them.”  Shetters said.  “In a perfect world, this bill would be good. Especially with the events that have been happening throughout the country with school shootings, my support for the bill has increased. But like I said, in a perfect world.”

Campus Carry: Two years later

Campus Carry: Two years later

By Silvia Contreras

Smc190@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas—Texas State students expressed their thoughts and opinions about the law that granted licensed citizens the right to carry concealed handguns on campus.

Esperanza Cuevas, 21

The campus carry law, also known as Senate Bill 11, went into effect August 1, 2016. Many students, faculty and residents of the San Marcos community questioned all the possible outcomes that would unfold because of the new campus carry law. Esperanza Cuevas, psychology major, did not think the bill was going to pass, that when it did she described it as a “wow, what now” moment.

Many students were split between being totally against the idea of campus carry or totally for it. While some students did not care about the decision of this bill, some students felt terrified. Jordan Crawford, journalism major, said this bill could become real problematic. “People can have poor judgement when they are threatened or scared, so people might be inclined to use their guns when it’s not necessary.”

Residents of Texas who are above the age of 21 or a United States veteran can apply for a license to carry a concealed handgun. Once the application is submitted, the applicant must then attend a six-hour course and pass the required examinations. Joseph Barmore, US veteran and computer information systems major, said “there are some people who shouldn’t just be able to go to a weekend class and carry a weapon around, but people who are appropriately trained and have experience should fully be able to enjoy their second amendment rights on or off campus.”

Zachary Fowler, 23

When asked whether the campus carry law was leading the university in a positive or negative direction, recent graduate Zachary Fowler said, “It goes both ways. I’d like to say yes, but I’m conflicted. I think it’s nice to have people defending themselves, but the risk of accidents goes up with more guns around.”

Melanie Schuchert. 19

It has been two years since the campus carry law went into effect, and some students’ feelings have slightly drifted since. “To be honest I don’t even think about it anymore,” Kevin Harris, marketing major, said. “At first, I remember it being a big deal because the requirements to get a license wasn’t even that hard.”

Melanie Schuchert, accounting major, felt the same way and said she saw no visible change in learning environment at Texas State. “Over time, the campus carry policy went to the back of my mind.”