Posted on 03/21/2011 3:32:19 PM PDT by marktwain
Carson City, NV (KTNV) - She survived a horrific attack at the hands of a serial rapist, but she's hoping her story will help change the law and keep others safe.
Amanda Collins was one of the victims targeted in a string of attacks in and around the University of Nevada Reno campus. While her attacker, James Biela, has been sentenced to the death penalty, she still fears for others.
Collins says it's time for state lawmakers to listen up and allow Nevada students to carry guns on college campuses.
The young woman plans to take her message to Carson City on Friday. She hopes her message and push for SB 231 will resonate with the Government Affairs Committee.
Nevada students are allowed to carry guns on campus in a limited capacity. However, this rape victim wants those prohibitions lifted.
She believes if she had been armed at school, she could've fought off her attacker and possibly saved another young woman's life.
College coed Brianna Denison was raped and strangled to death during James Biela's reign of terror in the fall of 2007.
Denison, who was a sophomore at Santa Barbara City College, was home visiting friends near the University of Reno campus when she was kidnapped.
Collins is convinced that she could have stopped Biela from getting to others if she was allowed to carry her gun at school.
"Had I been able to do so, two other rapes would've been prevented, and a life could've been saved," said rape victim Amanda Collins.
According to Collins, Biela terrorized her at gunpoint in a campus parking garage, less than 300 yards from a campus police office. Though, she's a licensed gun owner, she describes state law as leaving her defenseless.
"The fact that I was rendered defenseless, this man was allowed to be at large and continue to rape other women in the community," said Collins.
Talk of allowing guns on college campuses without limited restrictions always seems to stir up a heated debate. Word of this legislation is no different. A group of UNLV professors are already speaking out against it.
"There is not really a security crisis. This bill is one that really doesn't seem to address a Nevada problem," said Dr. Gregory Brown, professor of history at UNLV and vice president of the UNLV faculty alliance.
Doctor Gregory Brown points to studies that argue more guns on campus only translate into more violence at school
One UNLV senior seems to agree.
"You can have somebody that just feels they're mad at another student and just go up to them and use that weapon against them, or even with a professor," said student Jenelle Vannoy.
The young woman who remembers being raped at gunpoint says being armed on campus would've actually foiled a violent attack.
"I think people lose sight of the fact that the only way to stop a bad person with a gun is with a good person with a gun," said Amanda Collins.
Amanda Collins is hopeful SB 231 can someday become a reality for Nevada students.
Meantime, a representative from the Nevada Faculty Alliance plans to oppose the bill in front of lawmakers. 6 votes
She has refused to become a victim. There are some big name NV legislatures behind this one and I am hoping it passes without a big to do.
Just what the hell is a licensed gun owner? If it means she has a concealed carry permit, why doesn't it say she has a concealed carry permit?
In my state, the legislature essentially told the state colleges and universities that they will observe the concealed permit laws. Next...
The story at the top of the “DO NOT COVER” list for the MSM.
“Just what the hell is a licensed gun owner? If it means she has a concealed carry permit, why doesn’t it say she has a concealed carry permit? “
IMO its because they are trying to condition people to accept a license to possess a firearm.
That’s a great photo. I remember seeing on FR within the last year or so a bunch of other photos of shirts and/or posters with similar messages.
Of this I have little doubt... but Nevada? Apparently you need no footing in reality to be a journalism major.
Amanda Collins might have the makings of a Nevada hero a la Suzanna Hupp! God bless her.
BTTT
I would like this Ms Vannoy to back up her remarks with some evidence that lawful students allowed to carry guns on campus are shooting up each other when they have a disagreement.......
Better to be tried by twelve than to be carried by six.
Yeah, I see that and "a licensed gun" and shake my head. It's a meaningless expression unless the possessor of the "licensed gun" lives in Illinois or New York State and I suppose it has some meaning in those states.
Are you a citizen of the US? Yes, okay then the US Constitution applies to you. The 2nd Amendment says that you have the right to use firearms to defend yourself (and your country).
I am not interested in whether or not you wish to be politically correct and apply for a concealed carry permit, I believe with all my heart that your job is to defend yourself and your family wherever you may be. If you are going to college then carry a concealed weapon when you attend class.
As long as you are a responsible, law abiding citizen then I have no problems with you carrying wherever you go. I see absolutely no reason why you should support your local law enforcement departments by paying to carry concealed. That is done through taxes and shouldn’t be done through fees.
If you stop in at a bar to unwind then use good judgment and you make the decision as to whether or not you should leave your weapon in your car. If you determine that you should leave your weapon in your car then I think you need to correct your drinking habits.
RIGHT ON!
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