Due to our Second Amendment rights, if you are 21 years of age or older, have a clean record and pass extensive background checks and investigations, you should be allowed to carry a weapon to defend yourself and others. Why is it that I am allowed to defend myself on one side of the street but when I cross that street on to campus I lose that right? If someone wants to bring a gun onto campus there is nothing to deter them. Carrying a concealed weapon allows an individual to defend him or herself in a life threatening situation.
I feel that if students pass an extensive background check and register with the campus to carry a concealed weapon this would deter terrorist acts on campus. It imposes more of a challenge for that individual to execute his or her violent act. The state of Utah, in light of Virginia Tech, passed legislation allowing students and faculty to carry on campus. When you are faced with a life-threatening situation, do you want to have the ability to defend your life or make it easier for that individual to take it?
Philip Bissol
sophomore-recreation, park and tourism management
