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ALLOWING COLLEGE STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, AND OTHER COLLEGE

EMPLOYEES TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS ON CAMPUS

In various states, there has been a rise of deadly shootings in college campuses which took

many innocent lives. There are some views relating to the matter that suggests easing the existing

firearm regulations, allowing concealed weapons on campuses which may then be used for self-

defense or when the situation demands for its use. On the other hand, tightening restrictions is

the key to keep guns off the campuses for the safety of the students, professors and employees.

A study was conducted which examined college student and faculty opinions on two

college campuses, focusing on their attitudes towards private citizens carrying concealed guns on

campus. Data were collected during the fall 2008 and spring 2009, and over 2,100 students, staff,

faculty, and administrators on the two campuses participated in the research.  The results indicate

over 70 percent of respondents oppose the option of carrying concealed guns on campus. In

addition, the idea of more guns on campus makes the majority of students and faculty feel less

safe, and allowing concealed weapons serves to decrease the sense of campus safety. This study

continues to empirically advance the argument that those who live, work, and study do not want

more guns on campus. Further research in this area, including an expanded range of the nation’s

college campuses, should be explored. (Patten, Thomas and Wada n.p.)

Carrying of concealed weapons on campuses would lead to an escalation of violent crimes

in any ordinary day. It suggests a hostile environment to the campus which would make the
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students, professors and employees feel unsafe. Schools are meant to be a second home for

people, where learning and growth is the main objective, it should not be a host for violence, and

hostilities. Being a second home, it carries with it the notion of safety and comfort, safety in a

sense that you do not fear that any untoward incident brought about by mere provocation or

misunderstanding would lead to a senseless shooting or worst, mass shooting inside the campus.

Comfort, in a sense that learning would be easy because you are in a safe place. The last thing

schools want is to make students, professors, employees “feel safe” using “guns” which is in the

first place, is the cause of the cause of the evil caused. In the first place, a person should not be

responsible his own safety specially when inside school premises, it should be left to the proper

school authority or security.

Those who oppose allowing the carrying of concealed weapon cite lack of evidence

showing that allowing students carry weapons would reduce campus violence and also with the

argument that there may be unintended consequences, including accidental shootings and the

misuse of firearms at student gatherings. There is an across-the-board consensus among different

types of postsecondary education institutions and levels of faculty who wish to stave off

permitting lawful guns on their campuses. Further, study suggests that faculty overwhelmingly

feel that allowing guns on campuses would change the atmosphere from one that feels safe to

one that feels uncharacteristically threatening. (Dahl Bonham Jr and Reddington n.p.)

Safe to say, a huge majority that felt safe on their campuses, does not support the thought

of allowing students, faculty, or visitors conceal carry on their campuses. Allowing college

students, professors, and other college employees to carry concealed weapons on campus is not a

good thing be it for the well-being of the students, professors and employees, for violence does

not end violence.

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Works Cited

“Packing Heat: Attitudes Regarding Concealed Weapons on College Campuses”

Patten, Ryan; Thomas, Matthew O.; Wada, James C. American Journal of Criminal

Justice, December 2013.

“Community College Faculty: Attitudes Toward Guns on Campus”

Dahl, Patricia P.; Bonham Jr., Gene; Reddington, Frances P. Community College Journal of

Research and Practice, February 2016, Vol. 40.