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| Rosen at Allen's Boots in Austin, Texas. |
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian, Jewish
Age: 24
Background: Attended private school at the University of Chicago
Q: Were you aware that Texas passed legislation in August of 2016 permitting concealed carry weapons on campus? Also referred to as Campus Carry?
A: Yes. The first thing that comes to mind is UT kids protesting by carrying around dildos. The second thing is the complete lack of connection between policymakers and students. They are so out of touch with what being an 18-year-old is, they can barely make decisions about what classes to take, let alone whether or not to take someone’s life.
Q: So you disagree with the legislation?
A: I strongly disagree with the legislation, even if not a whole lot has happened because of it. I think the policy create a less safe environment for students. Students carrying guns only increases the risk of them shooting another student, whether because they’re angry, suicidal, or just irresponsible. School is a high-stress environment.
Q: So you’re thinking less about a mass shooter to defend people from, and more about the people owning the gun?
A: I don’t think that in the event of a mass shooting a student or staff could use their gun effectively. So what, they’re going to be a hero? Extremely unlikely.
Look, I grew up on the south side of Chicago in Hyde Park, murder capital USA as some people like to call it. Guns in public spaces hit close to home.
When you’re from the south side, there’s an inevitability in getting mugged. I was mugged six times. Doesn’t matter the time of day. I once walked into an active robbery, the guy pointed a gun at me and told me to leave. I think if I had a gun, would I have shot him? I don’t think so. You don’t know what to do in those moments. We both could have ended up dead.
To all of the guns rights activists who think they’re heroes: you’re either not going to have the courage, or you won’t have the gun on you, or worse you’ll cause more harm than good. Where there are more guns, there’s more violence.
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| Golden at his residence in San Antonio, Texas. |
Name: Elliot Golden
Hometown: Fort Hood, Texas
Race/Ethnicity: Black
Age: 23
Background: Former Texas State Student, Veteran
Q: Were you aware that Texas passed legislation in August of 2016 permitting concealed carry weapons on campus? Also referred to as Campus Carry?
A: Yes. I heard something about it once before in reference to a protest on the UT campus. It passed?
Q: Yes. Do you think it should have passed?
A: Of course not. Why do people need guns on campus? 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. It’s completely a politicized issue.
Q: Even if they’re concealed and you don’t know about them?
A: I don’t care if they’re concealed or not. The likeliness of someone with a concealed handgun protecting me are very low. Especially considering the impression I get from events that have happened at Texas State.
Q: What do you mean, events on campus?
A: Last year there were white supremacist flyers and flags found all over campus. There are high racial tensions. As a Black, Transgender man, how can I believe that I’m safe? How can I tell the good guys with guns from the bad guys with guns? The response from the administration didn’t help. It’s not enough to just condemn the actions, what are you doing to protect your students?
Q: Could you name a situation in which you think a concealed handgun license would be appropriate on campus?
A: Not a single one. I think weapons shouldn’t be allowed on campus. I don’t think professors or students should have them. As a veteran myself, I don’t even think I should be able to have one. There are all kinds of reasons, mental health, history, stress, and so on, that contribute to the ability to use a gun safely. And getting a CHL is too easy, and doesn’t take all of that into account in a thorough way. No guns on campus. Not now, not ever.
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