Campus Carry: Texas State University Divided

By Lorraine Rodriguez

L_r312@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS- Two years after campus carry law was passed, Texas State University students, and staff opinions still differ when it comes to the law.

The Campus carry law went into effect on August 1, 2016. The law allows that license holders may carry a concealed handgun throughout university campuses.

Raul Cardoza, 21

Raul Cardoza, 21-year-old history major, was uneasy about the campus carry law. “We go to a bigger university and you really don't know who is capable of what, said Cardoza. He expressed that laws should be strict on who they allow to carry weapons, “ If you have a mental illness I don't think you should be able to carry one. It would keep us all safe.”

Melanie Schuchert, 19

Melanie Schuchert, 19- year-old accounting major, also expressed similar feelings towards the law. Growing up around guns, Schuchert does not fear guns, but the people who handle them. “I always knew the people handling the guns were skilled and took safety measures. I do not have that same sense of security with strangers carrying guns on campus, especially with all the school shootings in recent history,” Schuchert said. 

Not only do several students feel uncertain about this law, Texas state staff does too. Custodian Nathaniel McGuff does not like the idea of campus carry very much. “I thought it was a bad idea. It's still a bad idea. It will always be a bad idea. I think it should be repealed immediately,” said McGuff.

Zachary Fowler, 23

Some students don’t see campus carry as much of a threat as other students do. Zachary Fowler, a 23-year-old graduate student was not very worried about the law passing. “I like the idea of carrying for protection so I thought it was fine. If a student is responsible enough and has proper verification I think it's ok,” said Fowler.

Joseph Barmore, Veteran and current student does not think the law should be repealed. “People who are appropriately trained and have experience should fully be able to enjoy their second amendment rights on or off campus,” said Barmore. He does however agree that laws should be more selective on who can carry concealed weapons “My personal philosophy is I would prefer it to be more restrictive.”

When asked about campus carry two years after the law passed student Ryan Carnley was not very phased. “I honestly forgot it happened, I've never seen a student on campus carry, but it makes sense because why would you need to anyways,” said Carnley.

Even though some are for and some are against campus carry, the one thing multiple students agreed on is the fact that the law should be very particular on who should be allowed to carry concealed weapons.