Spring Break
Campuses debate gun control issues
Tim Bella
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
Even with such strong opposition to the idea, the push from SCCC state delegates and licensed concealed firearm holders alike has only intensified since Gov. Rick Perry's proclamation shortly after the Virginia Tech shootings that concealed-weapon license holders should have the right to carry their firearms anywhere in the state. Perry would even go so far as to sign a bill a little more than two weeks after the shootings that would prohibit law enforcement officials from confiscating weapons from license holders in emergency situations.
"It's time for us to have that debate in Texas from the standpoint of whether or not a law-abiding citizen in the state of Texas can take their appropriately licensed and permitted weapon anywhere in this state, whether it's on a college campus or wherever," Perry said April 30. "A person ought to be able to carry their weapon with them anywhere in the state if they are licensed and they have gone through the training.
"The idea that you're going to exempt them from a particular place is nonsense."
Cold Hard Facts
In Texas, an individual 21 or older must meet 15 requirements before successfully obtaining a concealed handgun license, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Some of the requirements include: the individual must not have any felony convictions, must not have any family violence convictions of any kind, must not have any Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions within the last five years, must not be chemically dependent, must not be disqualified if a court ruling presents the person as being a danger to himself/herself or to others, must pass state and federal fingerprint and background checks, must pass a 10-hour training course on the applicable laws and appropriate use and must pass written and shooting tests.
Lewis said the individuals dedicated enough to go through the application process are not the ones anti-gun activists should be worrying about.
"The people who meet all of these requirements and pay approximately $250 to take the course and apply for the license are not contributing in any measurable degree to the problem of gun violence in America," he said.
"It's time for us to have that debate in Texas from the standpoint of whether or not a law-abiding citizen in the state of Texas can take their appropriately licensed and permitted weapon anywhere in this state, whether it's on a college campus or wherever," Perry said April 30. "A person ought to be able to carry their weapon with them anywhere in the state if they are licensed and they have gone through the training.
"The idea that you're going to exempt them from a particular place is nonsense."
Cold Hard Facts
In Texas, an individual 21 or older must meet 15 requirements before successfully obtaining a concealed handgun license, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Some of the requirements include: the individual must not have any felony convictions, must not have any family violence convictions of any kind, must not have any Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions within the last five years, must not be chemically dependent, must not be disqualified if a court ruling presents the person as being a danger to himself/herself or to others, must pass state and federal fingerprint and background checks, must pass a 10-hour training course on the applicable laws and appropriate use and must pass written and shooting tests.
Lewis said the individuals dedicated enough to go through the application process are not the ones anti-gun activists should be worrying about.
"The people who meet all of these requirements and pay approximately $250 to take the course and apply for the license are not contributing in any measurable degree to the problem of gun violence in America," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
TPaine
posted 11/30/07 @ 2:01 PM CST
Wyatt Tubb sums up the debate succinctly in the last paragraph.
"I have never thought about that" is at least an honest beginning.
Many well intentioned, decent people have never thought things through. (Continued…)
Stephen J. Feltoon
posted 11/30/07 @ 3:37 PM CST
To follow-up with TPaine, it's not even about the sheep mentality of "I don't know what I'd do". If someone doesn't want to own or carry a gun, we support them, but don't ruin it for the rest of us. (Continued…)
Jack Duncan
posted 11/30/07 @ 6:38 PM CST
I am still amazed that some people are so naive as to think putting up a "No Guns" sign will actually prevent someone from having a gun. Only the law abiding (which by definition are not the problem) will obey such nonsense. (Continued…)
Jonh Luvaro
posted 11/30/07 @ 7:40 PM CST
While the academic debate drags on, re gun carry on campus, I recommend this. Do what I did when I had to live in affordable housing; (read here, a marginal / dangerous neighborhood). (Continued…)
Glen
posted 12/01/07 @ 9:46 PM CST
You rock; exactly what I did; and I carry my gun everywhere I can that doesn't have a metal detector -"no carry" sign be damned. No one, no government (look at 9/11 and the unarmed pilots!), no school, and no corporation has the right to take away my right to defense of family and self. (Continued…)
W. Scott Lewis
posted 12/03/07 @ 10:17 AM CST
FYI, it's a third degree felony to carry a concealed handgun on the campus of a college or university in the state of Texas, so the worst case scenario is being expelled AND going to jail. (Continued…)
Ed Sizemore
posted 12/03/07 @ 5:06 PM CST
This is, in my opinion, a no-brainer. The right to self-protection is God-given, and it is acknowledged and recognized by the Second Amendment; the Constitution does give us that right. (Continued…)
Itsa Secret
posted 12/04/07 @ 3:52 PM CST
Not meaning to nit-pick here, but for accuracy's sake: BYU is a private school and so they have the right to ban guns from their campuses (and I believe their Honor Code contains some language to the effect that students will not bring firearms on campus or keep them in student housing). (Continued…)
Post a Comment