On August 1, 2016, all four-year colleges and universities permitted concealed carry of weapons on campuses across Texas. Texas is the eighth state in the Unites States to pass this law. (Fox, James 2016) However, concealed carry on campus is a very controversial topic. Giving students the legal right to carry weapons can potentially be dangerous to other students and faculty members. I believe weapons of any kind on school grounds should be prohibited in order to ensure safety to all students across the state of Texas.
Though there are a lot of opinions on this law, it was still implemented and any individual who contains a concealed handgun license (CHL), is allowed to carry their weapons in any college or university.
Charles Whitman, a student at the University of Texas at Austin climbed to the top of a clock tower on August 1, 1966 and shot at students killing 14 and wounding many others. This is considered the nation’s first campus mass shooting. (LA Times 2017) When the concealed carry on campus law was passed, the University of Texas at Austin was one of the first schools to protest fighting for a gun free campus. Whitman was in the Marines and was sniper-trained. This just goes to show even those in the military or those experienced with weapons, can be the ones behind a school shooting. Anyone with a gun on campus is capable of creating a campus mass shooting, anytime and anywhere.
There are some people who are in agreement with this law passed and feel safer while on campus. Yet, there are some students who walk around their college or university fearfully not knowing who is around them who contains a weapon. I believe students who are against this law because of the fear it causes should seek to become trained in protecting themselves that way they can become more prepared in case of any tragic situation and weaken their fears while on campus.
Education about the concealed carry on campus law is also very critical. There are many students across campuses in Texas who are not aware about the law. Students without any prior knowledge to this new law can be dangerous if they are found in any gun-violent situations while on campus. Personally, I feel classes about the law should be required to students through New Student Orientation to guarantee every student new to any college or university in Texas is at least aware of what is going on around them while on campus. Providing unbiased education about this topic would allow students to decide for themselves what action, if necessary, should be taken to increase their safety on campus.
Concealed carry on campus can be dangerous and life-threatening. I believe this law should not have been passed. I believe gun-free campuses would provide a better sense of safety to all students and employees. School should not be a place to question safety instead students should feel motivated to continue their education and begin their professional careers.
Though there are a lot of opinions on this law, it was still implemented and any individual who contains a concealed handgun license (CHL), is allowed to carry their weapons in any college or university.
Charles Whitman, a student at the University of Texas at Austin climbed to the top of a clock tower on August 1, 1966 and shot at students killing 14 and wounding many others. This is considered the nation’s first campus mass shooting. (LA Times 2017) When the concealed carry on campus law was passed, the University of Texas at Austin was one of the first schools to protest fighting for a gun free campus. Whitman was in the Marines and was sniper-trained. This just goes to show even those in the military or those experienced with weapons, can be the ones behind a school shooting. Anyone with a gun on campus is capable of creating a campus mass shooting, anytime and anywhere.
There are some people who are in agreement with this law passed and feel safer while on campus. Yet, there are some students who walk around their college or university fearfully not knowing who is around them who contains a weapon. I believe students who are against this law because of the fear it causes should seek to become trained in protecting themselves that way they can become more prepared in case of any tragic situation and weaken their fears while on campus.
Education about the concealed carry on campus law is also very critical. There are many students across campuses in Texas who are not aware about the law. Students without any prior knowledge to this new law can be dangerous if they are found in any gun-violent situations while on campus. Personally, I feel classes about the law should be required to students through New Student Orientation to guarantee every student new to any college or university in Texas is at least aware of what is going on around them while on campus. Providing unbiased education about this topic would allow students to decide for themselves what action, if necessary, should be taken to increase their safety on campus.
Concealed carry on campus can be dangerous and life-threatening. I believe this law should not have been passed. I believe gun-free campuses would provide a better sense of safety to all students and employees. School should not be a place to question safety instead students should feel motivated to continue their education and begin their professional careers.
Resources
http://www.armedcampuses.org/texas/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/07/31/concealed-carry-campus-bad-idea-james-fox/87706728/
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-colleges-concealed-weapons-nra-20170110-story.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/07/31/concealed-carry-campus-bad-idea-james-fox/87706728/
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-colleges-concealed-weapons-nra-20170110-story.html
Reflection
Writing the Opinion Piece allowed me to express myself freely and gave me the opportunity to give my opinion on the concealed carry on campus law. This law has become a very controversial topic and many students have different opinions about it. While writing the opinion piece, I found myself finding situations to this law that I would consider to be very helpful for anyone who is in fear of concealed weapons being allowed on campus.
The Opinion Piece took quite some time to write. Although, I stated my opinion, I had to do a bit of research in order to support my ideas. While researching, I found several articles defending both sides of the law. It was interesting to see how strongly people feel about this law that was recently implemented.
The Opinion Piece took quite some time to write. Although, I stated my opinion, I had to do a bit of research in order to support my ideas. While researching, I found several articles defending both sides of the law. It was interesting to see how strongly people feel about this law that was recently implemented.