By John Conor McCabe
June26,2018
San Marcos, TX—The licensed Concealed carrying of firearms on Texas university Campus's has been in effect since August 2016. While still a tensely split topic in state politics, some students believe it to be an over spoken situation.
Texas State University senior, Alexia Gutierrez, believes that what's being presented as a problem for one side or another, isn't.
"Public safety is important, but I believe that can go hand-in-hand with our Second Amendment," Gutierrez said.
The thought is shared by younger classmates like, Taylor Moody, a sophomore, who believes that the new laws change very little.
"I'm pretty sure that the people who were not carrying guns just kept on doing that, and those who did carry, did the same," Moody said. When asked if there were any benefits, he added, " At least the direction toward the legal process will weed out some of the potential risk".
The change on campus is a small one.
Melanie Schuchert, an accounting major, says that the difference has been so subtle, she has nearly forgotten.
"Because campus carry is concealed carry, there isn't a visible change in the learning environment," Schuchert said," Over time, the campus carry policy went to the back of my mind".
The policy, however, has not gone to the back of everyone's mind on campus.
Some students, like art major Nathaniel McGuff, feel the change has brought a threatening cloud over the school.
"It should be repealed immediately. I don't trust my fellow students or the school faculty with a gun in a high-stress situation,"McGuff said.
Other students, like Hannah Quach, have a general disinterest in carrying a firearm regardless of its legality.
"Even with proper training I wouldn't consider it, just because I feel uncomfortable around guns," Quach said. "Although guns can be used for safety, someone could easily take my gun and use it against me, creating a bigger problem".
With priorities in order, lots of college students are just trying to keep up with life and find themselves moving through the school without much thought towards who may be armed.
Gabriel Tirado, a San Antonio resident and Microbiology major, says he has hardly noticed in between examinations.
Tirado said, "It came into effect two years ago, and honestly, I've spent more time worrying about my exams."
Former students weigh-in to add to those who think that "Campus Carry" is not the social battleground that some media sources deem it to be.
Alumni like Jarred Tettey, who said that while he does believe people have the right to defend themselves, he doesn’t think the new changes to campus policy will change the violent trends going on.
"I feel that the laws of Texas were always going to end up like this," Tettey said," these are very uncertain times.
Despite it being a constant hot point of discussion in the media. The Texas legislation allowing the licensed concealed carrying of firearms on university campuses hasn’t struck as intense a chord with the student body. Many of which believe it will have little effect on the trend of school shootings, and desire for the media's attention to be directed to more important and manageable matters.
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