Gun Control and Campus Safety

Our research topic is looking into the effect of gun control laws on campus safety. The
reason we have chosen this topic to research and present on is due to presumed increase in
campus shootings throughout the U.S. on college campuses. The increasing violence on
university campuses has started the conversation of safety and how much can be done to protect
students and faculty. An option that has been gaining support has been the idea of allowing
concealed carry on campuses. Supporters claim that concealed carry would make shooters think
twice of committing crimes and would allow average citizens to defend themselves in the case of
a shooting. Those against concealed carry claim adding more guns to college campuses would
actually increase the occurrence of violence. They believe this because most students and faculty
would be put on edge at the thought of those around them carrying loaded weapons. This topic
directly relates to our target audience because of the tragic shooting that occurred at Cole Hall.
While Northern Illinois University has implemented increased safety measures since then some
feel there is more to be done. Would concealed carry help the NIU, DeKalb, and Sycamore
community or would more problems be caused. How would school safety officials feel if they
are no longer the only ones carrying loaded weapons? Our research aims to look into the idea of
concealed carry and whether it would help or put more in danger if implement on the NIU
campus. The research we seek in particular is focusing on campuses around the U.S. that have
dealt with gun control legislation and the result of those measures. We will also be looking into
the current standard of security of schools to see what at the moment is available to help in
protecting students and faculty. This topic demands to be addressed because of the recent
increase in shootings across the U.S.

Birnbaum, R. (2015, September/October). Ready, Fire, Aim: The College Campus Gun Fight.
Change Magazine. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
The main argument of the article is that firearms are here to stay, and under most
circumstances institutions can live with them. The article fits our research because it has a
tremendous amount of information, from statistics to interviews. The author establishes
credibility by publishing on an .org website, providing eighteen reference sources used in his
article and a tremendous amount of information to be consumed by the reader showing his
knowledge and dedication towards the topic. The article proves its arguments by applying and
explaining the factual and statistical data it has utilized in the article. I would rate this articles
usefulness as a five.

Burnett, D. (2012). Students should have the right to carry guns on college campuses. Opposing
Viewpoints. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
The main argument of this article is that concealed carry should be permitted on college
campuses. This article fits in our research because it provides another view point for supporting
concealed carry on college campuses. The author establishes credibility by giving his full name
and contact information as well as having substantial knowledge on the topic he is speaking. The
article does a good job proving its arguments using evidence, support, and counter arguments. I
would rate this article a four out of five.

Colleges and Universities where concealed guns are permitted. (n.d.). Armed Campuses.
Retrieved March 4, 2015, from http://www.armedcampuses.org/

The main argument in this article is that gun free policies have helped to make postsecondary institutions some of the safest places in the country. The article fits into our research
by providing a con argument with support and evidence. The established credibility is through
the website title of .org and providing a reference page, contact page, and works cited for their
article. The article does a poor job of proving its arguments, it delivers statistical information
with no explanation of the connection towards the topic. The usefulness of the article would be a
two.

DeFliippis, E. (2014, June 6). Campus Gun Control Works. Boston Review. Retrieved March 4,
2015.
The main argument made in this article is that gun control on college campuses is
working. This article fits our research because northern Illinois has a no concealed carry law that
prohibits concealed carry on college campuses. The author establishes credibility by displaying
his name, contact information, the date of publication, and his extensive knowledge of the topic.
The article does a good job proving his argument by showing instances where it works, showing
evidence and giving the reader substantial support on the evidence given. I would rate this article
a three out of five.

Guns on campus: Overview. (2015, February 23). Http://www.ncsl.org. Retrieved March 4, 2015
Neutral argument, stays on both sides and its purpose is to educate the reader on the
topic. The article fits our research by having a good back board for our general information on
the topic. The author establishes credibility by providing it on an .org website as well as
providing date of publication, and resources to contact to keep up to date on the topic discussed

in the article. The author does a good job at staying neutral throughout the article and uses
substantial statistical and factual evidence to educate the reader on the topic of concealed carry
on college campuses. The articles usefulness is at two.

Horman, B. G. (2012, March 29). 8 arguements for concealed carry on campus. Guns and Ammo.
Retrieved March 4, 2015.
The argument made in this article is for concealed carry on college campuses and
discusses eight arguments for concealed carry. The article fits our research because it is for
concealed carry to be used to evaluate the topic. The author establishes credibility by giving his
full name, contact information, publication date, and knowledge of the topic. The article does a
good job at proving the arguments by giving counter arguments and substantial evidence in
support for concealed carry. I would rate this article a three out of five.

Kingkade, T. (2013, March 11). Guns on campus prove unpopular among college leaders
nationwide. Huffington Post. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
The main argument of this article is that concealed carry on college campuses puts too
much tension on the students and faculty. The article fits well in our research because it gives a
view of both sides. The author establishes credibility by providing his whole name, publication
date of the article, publication on the Huffington post, and providing substantial evidence and
support showing knowledge of the topic. The article does a good job proving its arguments
because it uses a lot of difference information to establish its argument. The usefulness of this
article is a two out of five.

Millward, W., & Forman, C. (2014, September 1). Another state allows concealed carry on
college campuses, part of growing movement. Alabama News. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
The main argument of this article is that concealed carry on college campuses is coming
and fear of the unknown has been what deters most from the right of concealed carry. This article
is a great article for our research topic because it is written by a student living on a college
campus that has a concealed carry permit and carries his firearm during schooling. The author
establishes credibility because of he is experiencing the situation first hand and is concealing a
firearm on campus. The author does a good job proving his arguments by giving evidence and
support with counters for the counter arguments. I would rate this article a five out of five.

Moreau Catholic High School. (2012). Students should not be allowed to carry guns on college
campuses. Opposing Viewpoints. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
The argument in this article is that concealed carry should not be permitted on college
campuses. The article fits our research because it gives a view point for the side against
concealed carry. The author establishes credibility by providing substantial evidence, support,
surveys, and data on the topic. The article does a good job proving its argument using support
that counter acts any counter arguments that could be used against it. I would rate this article a
four out of five.

Wechsler, H., Hemenway, D., & Miller, M. (n.d.). Guns At College. CAS Article: Guns At
College. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
The articles main argument is that students with working firearms on college campuses
have a worrisome association between gun possession and serious alcohol problems. This article

fits our research because it provides substantial evidences, statistical, factual information on the
topic of concealed carry on college campuses. The author establishes credibility by using a
Harvard educational site, as well as providing 39 sources of reference used in the article. The
author doesnt do well at proving their argument because it takes a neutral view until the very
last sentence of the article not going into great detail of which side is right. The usefulness of this
article is a five.

The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus new study shows that on-campus crime rates have
increased in two states where concealed carry on campus is allowed. (2015, March). The
Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus. Retrieved on March 19, 2015, from
http://keepgunsoffcampus.org/blog/2015/03/17/the-campaign-to-keep-gunsoff-campus-new-study-shows-that-on-campus-crime-rates-have-increased-intwo-states-where-concealed-carry-on-campus-is-allowed/

The main argument of this article is that allowing students to carry concealed handguns
on a college campus doesnt actually decrease the crime rate, but increase the crime rate and
decrease the population of students. This article provides statistical arguments against another
campaign thats for carry concealed handguns, which would provide information on a
campaigns point of view supporting the thesis. The author establishes credibility by providing
information from the FBI Uniform Crime Statistics and Clary Act data from 2004 to 2013. The
author proves their argument by using quality information that attacks the opposing argument.
The usefulness of this article is a 5.

Lott, J. & Mustard, D. (1997, January). CRIME, DETERRENCE, AND RIGHT-TO-CARRY

CONCEALED HANDGUNS. The Journal of Legal Studies. Retrieved on March 19,
2015.
The main argument of this article is that carry concealed weapons deters violent crimes,
without increasing accidental deaths. This article fits our research because it provides
information that counters our thesis. The author establishes credibility by using cross-sectional
time-series data for U.S counties from 1977 to 1992 as well as quotes from different sources of
people. The author proves their argument by using data from different time periods plus quotes,
or opinions, from outside sources. The usefulness of this article is a 3.

Concealed Carry on College Campuses. (2015, March). WCTV. Retrieved on March 19, 2015,
from http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Concealed-Carry-on-CollegeCampuses-296812371.html

The main argument of this article is allowing students or faculty to carry concealed
weapons on campuses. This article fits our research because it provides information that counters
our thesis by providing a video of a debate of allowing concealed weapons. The author
establishes credibility by providing a video of a debate on the discussion of passing a bill that
will allow colleges to carry concealed weapons. The author doesnt proves their argument since
its not supporting nor going against concealed weapons on campus, but just giving a video of a
debate on the topic. The usefulness of this article is a 3.

Polsby, D. (1995). Firearms Costs, Firearms Benefits and the Limits of Knowledge. The Journal
of Criminal Law and Criminology. Retrieved on March 19, 2015.

The main argument of this article is that there is a balance between the costs and benefits
of carrying concealed weapons. This article fits our research because it provides information on
the pros and cons of carrying a firearm. The author establishes credibility by providing
information from 35 different sources, mainly journal articles. The author doesnt proves their
argument since its more of a bias article. The usefulness of this article is a 5.

Siebel, B. (2007). THE CASE AGAINST GUNS ON CAMPUS. HeinOnline. Retrieved on

March 19, 2015.
The main argument of this article is that carrying concealed weapons shouldnt be
allowed on campuses. This article fits our research because it provides cases that supports
banning carrying concealed weapons on college campuses. The author establishes credibility by
using the Massacre of Virginia Tech as a source to use to support his argument. The author
proves their argument by using the shooting at Virginia Tech as a lead on the topic, then working
around that case. The usefulness of this article is a 5.

Chi, K. S. (1999). School shootings. State Government News,42(5), 38.

This article focuses on making the spotlight focus on what community and schools can do
to make their environments safer from potential shootings. This article fits into our topic because
it addresses safety and concerns brought up by the community about firearm restrictions. The
author tried to make a logos argument by using examples to support arguments. This article does
a good job of supporting its argument, as for proving its argument most of it is a point of view
than a fact. I would say this article is a four on the use fullness just because it doesnt have its
focus completely on schools.

GUN CONTROL ACT -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MISDEMEANANTS' FIREARMS

DISABILITIES -- ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT CONSTRUES FEDERAL GUN
CONTROL ACT TO PERMIT STATE COURT TO REMOVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
MISDEMEANANT'S FEDERAL FIREARMS DISABILITY. (2014). Harvard Law
Review, 127(7), 2146-2153.
The main point of this article is about the rules and regulations concerning people trying
to purchase guns and what rules should limit the purchase of guns. Campus shootings require
guns and the shooter would have to obtain the gun and this article talks about possible legislation
to regulate it. This article was very logos heavy and it had a lot of references in text to other
events to support their point. This article did a good job of making the points they had validated
with evidence and examples. I would give this article three stars because it had not as much
focus on relevant information on our subject.

Metzl, J. M., & MacLeish, K. T. (2015). Mental Illness, Mass Shootings, and the Politics of
American Firearms. American Journal Of Public Health, 105(2), 240-249.
doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302242
This argument addressed on how gun control wont stop another school shooting. This
article focuses on gun control relevance with campus shooting which is very close to what our
topic is. This article had a combined ethos and logos focus that undercut itself a little in the
argument but did not damage the credibility that much,but did effect it. This article did have
some examples to support its point but didnt have all the points backed up by examples. I would
give this a four on the scale because it did have a lot of relevancy and had good points.

UP IN ARMS. (2008). Current Events, 108(5), 7.

The main focus article is about a school that had teachers carry firearms to classes. Our
topic is about gun control at NIU and this is an example of gun control at a school. This article
had a lot of ethos arguments because it had a lot of ethics of having the guns in classes. This
article proved its argument through an example that it is focused around. I would give this a four
because it doesnt directly talk about NIU, yet it does frame a great example and thoroughly
explores all the issues with the example.
Wasserman, L. M. (2011). GUN CONTROL ON COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES
IN THE WAKE OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA V. HELLER AND MCDONALD V.
CITY OF CHICAGO.Virginia Journal Of Social Policy & The Law, 19(1), 1-57.
This article is about gun control and whether college campuses even have grounds to
make their own rules pertaining it. It relates to our topic because it is about gun control and
colleges. It is heavily focused on logos because it has a lot of references to other articles. This
article does a good job of proving its points with its paraphrasing and references of other articles
and documents. I would give this article four stars because it was really good but didnt have a
direct reference to NIU.