Photo by Thad Allender.
Posted on 04/22/2008 11:43:03 AM PDT by neverdem
Photo by Thad Allender.
Kansas University junior Eric Stein displays a gun holster that he wore to class Monday. Stein, a member of the national Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, is participating in a week-long protest aimed at promoting concealed carry on college campuses.
If Eric Stein gets his way, students at Kansas University would be allowed to bring concealed weapons to campus — so long as they have the proper state permit.
Stein, a Topeka junior, is the president of the local chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, which has organized a nationwide “Empty Holsters” protest for this week. The campaign involves members of SCCC wearing their holsters to class and on campus — but without guns — as a visual reminder that concealed carry on campus is illegal, which members of the group object.
“Since the (Northern Illinois) shooting, it’s become abundantly clear to a lot of students that no-gun signs, no-carry signs on campus really don’t do anything to mitigate a situation such as a campus shooter,” Stein said. Six students died, including the shooter, when a man opened fire in a classroom at Northern Illinois University in February.
SCCC reports having 52 members at KU. Members support allowing licensed students to carry firearms on campus, though not all members are interested in carrying.
“I don’t know if I feel comfortable carrying on campus right now, but I would be more comfortable on campus if people on our side could carry,” said SCCC member Brittany Ramos, an Air Force ROTC cadet from Overland Park.
Ramos added that she feels safe on campus during the day, though not as safe at night. Ramos said the empty holster project was a way to draw publicity to the cause without violence and without scaring people.
“KU regulations and state law are very clear on this subject, but students are welcome to express their opinions,” KU spokeswoman Jill Jess said.
The Kansas Board of Regents last week endorsed a no-weapons policy on all of its campuses and directed campus leaders to devise a common set of standards for posting no-weapons signs and handling violators. Right now, KU forbids people from carrying while driving on campus streets or while parked on campus.
“Securing our campuses is an ongoing challenge, and our work will never be done in this arena. However, we must never forget that continued diligence on this issue is a vital priority,” Christine Downey-Schmidt, regents chairwoman, said.
Stein said there are successful examples of concealed carry at college campuses in five states.
“In Utah, all nine universities allow concealed carry on campus. Colorado State and a community college in Virginia allow concealed carry,” Stein said. “There are a combined 60 semesters on those campuses without an increase in gun violence or negligent shootings.”
“In Utah, all nine universities allow concealed carry on campus”
Unfortunately for the supporters of CCW, when CCW works, nothing happens. Absolutely nothing. And that doesn’t sell newspapers.
Lil' Miss Brittany needs to reconsider her career.
Co-eds getting a snack...
I’m somewhat surprised that none of the campus wanna-be cops fined any of the holster-wearing protesters for “disturbing the peace” or for some other contrived charge.
They'd be safe and secure from the unwanted gropes of our impeached former president...
Correction, I’m REALLY surprised that none of the whiny lib professors threatened to fail any student who walked into their classroom with a visible holster. Then again, if they did, would we even hear about it?
I almost said that no prof was stupid enough to actually say that out loud. Then I remembered the mind numbing stupidity of some of the libtard profs I had.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.-L. Long
A friend sent me a link to some stuff for people who wanted to start an empty holster protest on their campus, like a letter to send to campus security, explaining exactly what they’re doing, when, that there will be NO weapons in the holsters, etc. The fact that the organisers (in theory, at least) notified campus safety officers beforehand was probably the only reason they didn’t get in trouble. Personally, I would have liked to do something like that, but I have a couple close friends who knew people who died at VA Tech, so I wouldn’t be comfortable doing something advocating guns on campus at this time of year especially (not out of political correctness, just out of respect for my friends’ feelings cause I know they wouldn’t deal well with it).
CCW ping! Looks like your Kansas counterparts are carrying on the fight for freedom nicely...
Our groups all over the country are doing great. I myself have been doing interviews with papers in New Hampshire, Idaho and Ohio in the past couple of days...
Bump to self for later ping, although I hope no one posts every story about us, because at last count, that would be a lot...
Excellent!
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