Spring Break
Universities consider concealed-carry laws
Pamela Acosta
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
"In that instance, it would've made a difference, but in most instances, it would not," Crain said.
Some people argue the knowledge of guns on campus would deter people from committing such a crime. But "those individuals that would do something like that are already deranged. They wouldn't think like that," Crain said.
A former student at NIU killed six and wounded 15 on Feb. 15, and at Virginia Tech, a gunman killed 33 people in April 2007. A gun-violence crime occurred at the UA when a former student shot Professor John Locke in 2000. All three shooters killed themselves after their crimes.
Although nobody can prepare for the impact of an attack like that, Crain said, UAPD is prepared to respond to such a situation.
Incidents like this have been prevented because people are alert and report situations that seem out of the ordinary, he said.
"Members of the community should not take things for granted [but should] be aware of their surroundings and report things that they see," he said. "A community is safer when everyone participates in the safety of the community."
To get a concealed-carry weapons permit, a person must be 21 years old and complete an application packet for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the state police in Little Rock. The application also can be downloaded online, and the application packet needs to include both a license and fingerprint fee, full set of fingerprints and waiver to allow the police to access medical records. Along with that, the applicant should include a reference letter from a judge, sheriff or attorney stating the person is free from a criminal charge more than 10 years old.
SCC will hold an empty-holster protest to create awareness and answer questions April 21 to 25. "Empty holster" represents how people who have permits feel when they can't bring their guns on campus, Robinson said.
SCC has more than 25,000 members nationwide on more than 500 campuses, according to the organization's Web site.
Robinson joined the group when he turned 21 in September after the VT shooting, he said.
For more information on the subject, visit http://www.concealedcampus.org or http://www.bradycenter.org.
Some people argue the knowledge of guns on campus would deter people from committing such a crime. But "those individuals that would do something like that are already deranged. They wouldn't think like that," Crain said.
A former student at NIU killed six and wounded 15 on Feb. 15, and at Virginia Tech, a gunman killed 33 people in April 2007. A gun-violence crime occurred at the UA when a former student shot Professor John Locke in 2000. All three shooters killed themselves after their crimes.
Although nobody can prepare for the impact of an attack like that, Crain said, UAPD is prepared to respond to such a situation.
Incidents like this have been prevented because people are alert and report situations that seem out of the ordinary, he said.
"Members of the community should not take things for granted [but should] be aware of their surroundings and report things that they see," he said. "A community is safer when everyone participates in the safety of the community."
To get a concealed-carry weapons permit, a person must be 21 years old and complete an application packet for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the state police in Little Rock. The application also can be downloaded online, and the application packet needs to include both a license and fingerprint fee, full set of fingerprints and waiver to allow the police to access medical records. Along with that, the applicant should include a reference letter from a judge, sheriff or attorney stating the person is free from a criminal charge more than 10 years old.
SCC will hold an empty-holster protest to create awareness and answer questions April 21 to 25. "Empty holster" represents how people who have permits feel when they can't bring their guns on campus, Robinson said.
SCC has more than 25,000 members nationwide on more than 500 campuses, according to the organization's Web site.
Robinson joined the group when he turned 21 in September after the VT shooting, he said.
For more information on the subject, visit http://www.concealedcampus.org or http://www.bradycenter.org.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
David Smith
posted 4/11/08 @ 10:23 AM CST
Statistics indicate that in Arkansas, there's a small fraction of people who---ARE POLICE. The likelihood of one of those people being in the right place at the right time is slim
T.
posted 4/11/08 @ 10:35 AM CST
I have my concealed carry permit, and I don't think this article fairly covers everything that is required to get one. I had to go to a class with a licensed instructor for 8 hours. (Continued…)
Stu Strickler
posted 4/11/08 @ 12:12 PM CST
Concealed carry laws can save lives. Fourty eight states have concealed carry laws. You can carry in most public places, why not a college campus?
While Police do a good job, they are minutes away, when seconds count. (Continued…)
Texas Freeman
posted 4/11/08 @ 3:52 PM CST
Isn't it funny? The university, businesses, federal government, and state governments are all claiming that thier rights are MORE important than thier citizen's and student's rights! The state claims they are disarming the students and citizens to PROTECT them, but then don't protect them. (Continued…)
Woodpiggie
posted 4/12/08 @ 3:10 AM CST
Anticarriers:
Passage of this will not increase the number of guns in society. It will merely add to the number of physical settings in which screened and tested law abiding citizens can keep and bare a significant disinsentive to criminal attack. (Continued…)
Not a trained killer
posted 4/14/08 @ 9:46 AM CST
I'm sorry, but I think this is appalling. I am not willing to kill another individual, even if my life depended on it. What is this? The wild west? I mean, I am not "dogging" anyone who wants to carry a gun, but I just don't want those people in my life, and if the University were to allow concealed weapons on campus, that just makes me think that a lot more people are willing to kill than we think. (Continued…)
pewpew
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:54 PM CST
i always kind of thought anybody willing to man up enough to want to stop a gun wielding maniac doesn't need a gun to do it. this is not about saving lives when seconds count, its about guys stroking their egos. (Continued…)
T.
posted 4/15/08 @ 3:16 PM CST
To "not a trained killer" and "pewpew". I am not overly anxious to have to use my gun, however, if it comes down to me or the other person, then I want to give myself every chance I have to make it home to my husband at the end of the day. (Continued…)
Jerome
posted 1/02/09 @ 12:31 PM CST
This isn't about ego or bragging rights because a person carries a gun. The whole point is to even the playing field. It's already been pointed out that almost all mass shootings take place in gun free zones. (Continued…)
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