Campus carry still in effect after two years

Campus carry still in effect after two years

By Israel Vasquez

I_v59@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas - After two years passed, students, faculty and staff at Texas State University become concerned and frightened that campus carry is still in effect.

Beginning August 1, 2016, Texas State University passed a campus carry law that would allow students over the age of 21 with a valid license to access a concealed handgun on or about the person. With this action taking place, students, faculty, parents and staff began to feel concern being in the areas around them. Even now that two years has passed on, students and staff still do not feel at ease considering no rules and regulations have been placed.

With this being a stressful issue at hand, multiple students have addressed their concerns over campus carry. Raul Cardoza, a 21-year-old junior, finds the possibilities to be endless when in a large university such as Texas State.

“I honestly think it’s scary,” said Cardoza, “We go to a bigger university and you really don’t know who is capable of what. I think there should be stricter rules on who can carry a concealed weapon.”

In comparison, staff members were able to voice similar opinions as well. Tammy Gonzalez, a 42-year-old who currently works as a Program Coordinator on the university feels entirely against the administration and their way of addressing others concerns.

“I tried not to think too much about it then and it wasn't until recently, this past change that really scared me,” said Gonzalez. “In 2016 when they agreed that you can carry a concealed weapon I thought the president would make rules and regulations, but I don't think she did.”

In addition, some parents of the students also have concerns with teachers who could potentially have a gun present in the classroom. While plenty of unknown students wonder the halls of campus with a gun in their bag, who is to say a fellow teacher wouldn’t feel compelled to do the same. Kira Fredricks, a 38-year-old mother of four addresses her concerns toward the severity of campus carry.

“I am not too sure how I feel about teachers and guns. I mean, I think they should undergo a lot of training in the way police officers do,” said Fredricks. “I am a teacher, and just the thought of having a gun in my classroom freaks me out.”

21-year-old junior John Stevenson also gave his opinion on allowing teachers to participate on campus carry.

“I honestly wouldn’t feel too safe. If they trained to carry weapons maybe I would be okay but mostly uncomfortable,” Stevenson said.

Although there are many concerned over the dilemma, there are those who feel otherwise. Some students amongst campus tend to believe having the ability to carry an open fire arm means having access to protect oneself from further danger. 23-year-old sophomore Taylor Moody made it clear that not only is it appropriate for law abiding young adults to carry a fire arm, but proceeded to express how people will carry them anyway, law or no law in place.

“Mostly I believe that people who feel the need to carry a gun for protection will do it anyway,” Moody said. “This kind of regulation at least weeds out the most potential risk.”

Similarly, former Texas State student Bryan Parks views this as an opportunity to save more lives upon dangerous threats. The 29-year-old finds that anyone who is American is entitled to carry a gun regardless of the manner.

“I believe that the rate of school shootings has potential to decrease with this law in effect. Teachers should be allowed to carry guns if and only if they are licensed to do so and if the gun is securely stored,” Parks said.