Texas State (University) students back gun measure

[shadowrider]

Texas State University’s student government has become the first in Texas to endorse carrying concealed handguns on campus.

The group voted 24-10 on Monday to pass a resolution backing a proposed bill that would allow anyone to carry a concealed handgun around campus if they are 21 or older, have a concealed carry license, and have undergone training and background checks.

Previous concealed carry bills have had little success in the Legislature. Newly elected state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, has filed a new bill this session.

Advocates say the bill would allow students to protect themselves in the event of a Virginia Tech-like massacre. Foes say the introduction of guns on campus could result in more gun-related injuries and deaths.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/Texas_State_students_back_gun_measure_111100029.html

Once again, foes say it COULD result in more gun-related injuries and deaths, but they can't point to ANY college where conceal carry is ok as being an example of their point coming to fruition.

[bluestateguy]

1. I'm inclined to support this

21 or older with a license and have undergone training and background checks.

I would only add that any student who has ever been in disciplinary trouble at the university should lose their rights to carry.

[Atypical Liberal]

5. I'd disagree with that caveat.

>I would only add that any student who has ever been in disciplinary
>trouble at the university should lose their rights to carry.

From what I have heard in the past, school judiciary procedures can be a real sham.

If I'm going to loose a Constitutional right, I want it backed by real due process of law, not some kangaroo court in a college.

I still hold that if I am an adult legally able to carry a concealed carry off campus, there is no reason why I should not be able to do so on campus.

[Euromutt]

2. Department of Redundancy Department

The group voted 24-10 on Monday to pass a resolution backing a proposed bill that would allow anyone to carry a concealed handgun around campus if they are 21 or older, have a concealed carry license, and have undergone training and background checks.

Given that being over 21 and having undergone training and background checks are prerequisites for acquiring a Texas CHL, this wording seems unnecessarily repetitive. Unless it's meant to exclude holders of, for example, Washington state CPLs, as Washington has no training requirement.

[X_Digger]

4. Probably an attempt to educate

It does effectively clobber the first few ignorant objections likely raised.

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. Is this the bill that doesn't allow weapons to be kept in their room?

If that is the case it seems that only day students could carry.

[Atypical Liberal]

6. Or more importantly, night students.

>If that is the case it seems that only day students could carry.

Or more importantly, night students.

I'm somewhat OK with the restriction against firearms in dorm rooms, because you generally don't get to pick your dorm mate(s) and they may not want firearms in their room, and it would not be right to force them to do so. Additionally, keeping the firearm safe and secure from dorm-mates becomes an issue.

[PavePusher]

8. Do students get to chose the religion of their room-mates too?

That's the logical extension of your premise.

I'd rather not have a Unitarian or Amish room-mate, thanks...

The U could provide each student with a small safe for their carry-sidearm.

[Atypical Liberal]

9. As long as their religion has no physical manifestation, no.

I shouldn't get to choose the religion of my dorm-mate, as long as they have no physical manifestations of their religion in the dorm room.

I imagine there would be rules in place that would prevent a room mate from festooning his side of the room with satanic symbols, for example. You can certainly be a satanist, but I bet most universities have rules on how you can display your religious paraphernalia in your dorm room.

[X_Digger]

11. Actually, no.

As your domicile, short of creating a fire or other safety hazard, there's very little expression of a religious nature that can be limited by the state (university). Prayer mats, crucifixes, pentagrams, pentacles, all are protected religious expression.

Incense, menorahs, votive religious candles- those may be prohibited from individual rooms, but most universities set guidelines, such as they must be utilized in the common areas of a dorm, and must be attended at all times.

See ROSENBERGER v. RECTOR AND VISITORS OF UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA et al.

[Bonhomme Richard]

7. I really don't like the idea that , in effect, locals can....

walk around campus carrying but a student that lives on campus does not have the same right to protect themselves. I would rather see no carry on campus than discriminating against those that happen to board.

[Atypical Liberal]

10. The problem with guns in dorms.

The problem with guns in dorms is that you have usually have no control over who your roommate is, and they may not want a gun in their home. That should be respected. I think this is a reasonable trade-off that you would have to accept for the convenience of shared housing.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

12. Many students live on or off campus in non-university owned buildings/apartments.

I think a student could keep his/her pistol locked in the car if they wanted.
Although they'd have to visit thier car everytime they wanted to arm themselves.

Dormatories have lots of silly rules. I see prohibiting weapons no differently.
Nothing is stopping a student from living in a non-university apartment.
Renting with private apartments/houses is typically alot cheaper too.

[ManiacJoe]

13. How many college seniors actually live in the dorms?

From my experience it is virtually zero. Seniors are usually living either off campus or in non-dorm housing.

[safeinOhio]

14. I don't think you'll find many

21 year old students that would have a CCW living on campus to begin with.
Most dorm rooms are easily broke into. Most have no locks, and they are not allowed on many campuses on bathroom doors that connect rooms. Also, very high density of people, making injuries to others more likely. Cheap door alarms and pepper spray make more sense in that situation. I'd also think that shootings on campuses are rarer than licensed CCW holders committing gun crimes. Both so rare it would be paranoid to fear either. There are available stats on crimes for every campus. One could easily pick a school with low crime numbers.

[ManiacJoe]

15. Exactly.