Allowing concealed weapons on campus unnecessary
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion
After the string of campus and community shootings that began in 2007 and stretched into this year, we're all that much more uneasy about the society in which we live.
We're all eager to find a way to stop the string of violence and go to school on safe campuses.
That's why this editorial board is glad concealed firearms are banned on University of Nebraska campuses. We understand the need to protect students and everyone else; we just don't see how students running around with concealed handguns will ever actually solve a problem.
That's a position we've reiterated time and again; there is absolutely no reason students should think a concealed weapon would shield them from danger.
Of course, that's not enough to end the debate.
In Alabama on Wednesday, the state's senate killed a bill that would have allowed certain students to carry concealed firearms on campus.
Similar bills have been introduced in several other states.
The Alabama legislature also proposed that professors be allowed to carry concealed weapons; as if older (but still untrained) civilians are more qualified to carry and discharge firearms than are younger untrained adults.
The truth is, police and military undergo an incredible amount of firearms training - to the point that they are ready to distinguish targets and exercise proper discipline when shooting.
The Alabama legislators recognized this, and defeated both efforts. Neither students nor teachers will be able to carry concealed firearms on campus, and that's absolutely as it should be.
We want to see campus environments where staff, students and faculty act quickly to help troubled individuals when they encounter situations that could lead to violence. In many situations, obviously, we can't see the violent outbursts coming - but how would students and professors carrying weapons help?
Few have taken advantage of Nebraska's concealed carry legislation; it isn't like 50 percent of the population is carrying around a firearm. So if someone did try to commit a shooting on our campus, the chances of a student with a gun to stop them would probably be low in the first place.
Handguns are (relatively) expensive for the average student, as are concealed carry permits
And even if someone did have weapon nearby to try and stop the attacker, the worry comes back that that person wouldn't have the expertise and practice that we would see in a UNL police officer responding to the scene.
It's understandable that some students and faculty would feel better carrying handguns - they would feel like they had the power to prevent a tragedy.
They wouldn't have that power.
The Alabama state legislature was right to reject this bill; it doesn't represent the right way to protect the students in that state.
We hope legislators and officials in Nebraska will look to the Alabama State Senate and avoid giving anyone the ability to conceal weapons on campus.
We're all eager to find a way to stop the string of violence and go to school on safe campuses.
That's why this editorial board is glad concealed firearms are banned on University of Nebraska campuses. We understand the need to protect students and everyone else; we just don't see how students running around with concealed handguns will ever actually solve a problem.
That's a position we've reiterated time and again; there is absolutely no reason students should think a concealed weapon would shield them from danger.
Of course, that's not enough to end the debate.
In Alabama on Wednesday, the state's senate killed a bill that would have allowed certain students to carry concealed firearms on campus.
Similar bills have been introduced in several other states.
The Alabama legislature also proposed that professors be allowed to carry concealed weapons; as if older (but still untrained) civilians are more qualified to carry and discharge firearms than are younger untrained adults.
The truth is, police and military undergo an incredible amount of firearms training - to the point that they are ready to distinguish targets and exercise proper discipline when shooting.
The Alabama legislators recognized this, and defeated both efforts. Neither students nor teachers will be able to carry concealed firearms on campus, and that's absolutely as it should be.
We want to see campus environments where staff, students and faculty act quickly to help troubled individuals when they encounter situations that could lead to violence. In many situations, obviously, we can't see the violent outbursts coming - but how would students and professors carrying weapons help?
Few have taken advantage of Nebraska's concealed carry legislation; it isn't like 50 percent of the population is carrying around a firearm. So if someone did try to commit a shooting on our campus, the chances of a student with a gun to stop them would probably be low in the first place.
Handguns are (relatively) expensive for the average student, as are concealed carry permits
And even if someone did have weapon nearby to try and stop the attacker, the worry comes back that that person wouldn't have the expertise and practice that we would see in a UNL police officer responding to the scene.
It's understandable that some students and faculty would feel better carrying handguns - they would feel like they had the power to prevent a tragedy.
They wouldn't have that power.
The Alabama state legislature was right to reject this bill; it doesn't represent the right way to protect the students in that state.
We hope legislators and officials in Nebraska will look to the Alabama State Senate and avoid giving anyone the ability to conceal weapons on campus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 45
Kevin
posted 3/28/08 @ 9:23 AM CST
I have a hard time reading anti-gun articles written by people who obviously have NO experience with firearms. In my experience (and I've had quite a few), the only people who are this afraid of firearms are the people who have never learned to use them correctly and safely. (Continued…)
JT
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:03 AM CST
Agreeing with Kevin here.
A potential or determined criminal, knowing that any potential student or staff member on campus may possess a weapon at any time, may be more aware of picking a target there. (Continued…)
Brad
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:03 AM CST
Nebraska has had concealed carry for about a year now and none of the doomsday scenarios predicted by opponents to concealed carry have played out. We have however had numerous shootings across the USA in places where concealed carry is banned that resulted in the loss of innocent lives. (Continued…)
Trey
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:06 AM CST
Ditto to Kevin's comments. Although I respect their right to print their opinion, I suggest the editorial board become more informed on a topic before making "blithering idiots" of themselves. (Continued…)
Tec
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:55 AM CST
"we just don't see how students running around with concealed handguns will ever actually solve a problem."
You're right, it won't ever actually solve a problem. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 3/28/08 @ 11:06 AM CST
"That's a position we've reiterated time and again; there is absolutely no reason students should think a concealed weapon would shield them from danger. (Continued…)
John
posted 3/28/08 @ 12:10 PM CST
While I respect the police and understand the amount of training they receive, the editorial staff has way too much confidence in the ability of the average police officer. (Continued…)
Rich
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:06 PM CST
How many in-progress campus shootings have the police stopped? None. In at least one instance, at the Appalachian School of Law, armed students stopped the mayhem. (Continued…)
Brutus Fullman
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:14 PM CST
Your insistence on misrepresenting the facts of concealed carry law is disappointing and unfair to Nebraskans who deserve honest, reasoned debate on this issue. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:32 PM CST
I've never been able to get behind the mindset that believes "no chance" is better than a "slim chance."
This editorial is an exemplary piece of projection. (Continued…)
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