Posted on 11/13/2004 8:42:11 AM PST by TERMINATTOR
Adam Noble (Nov. 4), whose opinion I respect, responded in the Exponent to a letter by Bill Arevalo (Oct. 27), a student who frequents his university while carrying a loaded gun concealed on his person. Mr. Noble expressed his disdain with the carrying of arms on campus.
However, he should visit Tel Aviv University in Israel, where it is possible to see some students coming to study with fully automatic assault rifles (me included) as well as privately owned pistols. This does not infringe upon its academic atmosphere at all. As far as I know, there has never been a rape on campus. As to the question of what these guns are for, the answer is "nothing at all, we hope."
Lior Bar-On
Tel Aviv, Israel
Someone please tell me that I misread Bill Arevalo's letter to the editor in the Oct. 27 edition of the Exponent. In reference to his love of firearms he stated, "I have a carry permit, carry a firearm daily, even to the University and own many assault weapons." Wait, did you just say you're carrying a gun to Purdue's Campus on a daily basis?
I'm going to assume that because you did not state so you're not a police officer Bill. For starters Purdue does not allow firearms on campus, no matter what license Indiana might grant you. Ask the police if you don't believe me. Second, what exactly are you planning on using said firearm for? Are you getting mugged a lot Bill? Does losing your wallet warrant murder? While you're explaining your actions could you also let me know what you've been "assaulting" with your assault weapons.
I've grown up literally in the backwoods of Southern Indiana, so don't accuse me of not being familiar with firearms. I'm all for letting civilians hunt with their shotguns and rifles, but I firmly believe handguns and assault rifles should not be used outside of law enforcement and the military. As a rule of thumb I've found that firearms are for cops and cowards. Real men hunt with bows and owning a weapon for home/self-defense is by all statistics illogical.
Next time you step out the door to take your gun to campus, please let the West Lafayette Police know that you're doing so. And Bill, all the firearms in the world aren't going to offset your personal insecurities.
Adam Noble
Senior, School of Mechanical Engineering
I'm going to assume that because you did not state so you're not a police officer, Bill.
Personalizing the debate- "Bill"-- seems to be a technique the Left likes to use. Seminar callers to talk radio use it all the time.
And they aren't all dead?Amazing!(/sarcasm}
TRANSLATION: "I was visibly aroused by the pictures of John Kerry in his goose-hunting outfit."
The Indiana state DA, and the US DOJ DA(Ashcroft), ought to be busting the dean for civil right violations, of the Second Amendment. Many of us in California, signed a petition asking Ashcroft to enforce the Second Amendment in this State. Three years later, and not one gov official has been busted! Go figure. No doubt this will change, once we get a Republicrat admistration in power. (/sarcasm)
Animal righters go ballistic when they hear about bow hunting. They call it the height of animal cruelty, even worse than firearms. As for the "illogic" of home/self defense firearm ownership, go read John Lott's book on the subject.
I like the ad hominem attack at the end "personal insecurities."
This is a fool that believes calling 911 will save him if the worst should happen. Evidently, he has no idea that by the time the cops show up, he will very likely be dead, if he is not prepared to defend himself. This guy is the perfect target for a criminal.
Not to mention, "cops and cowards".
I lived and worked in Zurich for some time and I never felt discomforted by the ubquitous display of true Military assault weapons and sidearms on the trams and trains and in the houses wherever I traveled....in fact I felt comforted...and no fire fights amongst beer swilling mates or during political discourse....who knew ?....;
Yeah, that too. I think for "personal insecurities" the writer of this letter should look no further than the mirror. From my perspective, this is a person who abdicates taking responsibility for defending himself. To me, that is huge indicator of "personal insecurities."
These colleges need to be told "If you want to exempt yourself from laws, you can fund yourself". The University of Minnesota takes the same anti-gun position.
Depends on what authority the College has to ban weapons. Many just put them in even if there is no legal right under state law. In Michigan the law is clear - Act 372 of 1927 (as amended), 28.425o - "Premises on which carrying concealed weapon prohibited; ...(h) A dormitory or classroom of a community college, college, or university." There may be additional restrictions on students by the institution, but someone with a CPL can drive through campus, go to the Medical Clinic (NOT hospital), or shop at the bookstore.
If the law is not clear that colleges are prohibited areas, you have to see if certain colleges - the major state ones, have constitutional basis that give them home rule style powers. Look at case law in the state to see the history of decisions involving public and private institutions. You may have to enect a state firearms premption law that says no local rule for firearms may be more restrictive than state law. Just because the public colleges want no guns does not mean they have the right to ban them. A private place or college can enact their own rules, generally.
Dear Adam,
Do you have a fire extinguisher or smoke alarm in your house or apartment? Do you wear seatbelts when you drive your car? As an aspiring engineer, I would have assumed that you might believe in preparing for unexpected situations. I wonder if when you design a structure, you think to yourself, "the greatest weight this bridge will ever need to support is 14 tons. So, if I design this bridge to support exactly 14 tons, everything will be just hunky dorey! So, there's no reason that I should add those extra supports just in case."
I'm all for letting civilians hunt with their shotguns and rifles, but I firmly believe handguns and assault rifles should not be used outside of law enforcement and the military.
Cool! We learn what an aspiring engineer "firmly believes!"
As a rule of thumb I've found that firearms are for cops and cowards.
So, tell me... What exactly distinguishes a "cop" from a "coward" in your eyes? Are you telling me that those serving in Iraq right now are cops? Or are they cowards? Or did you also mean to exclude them as well. How about security guards? They're not really police officers, so are they cowards? What about bail enforcement agents, or body guards? You're really not doing a very good job of defining what you mean, which isn't a good thing in an engineer. Are you sure that you're in the correct discipline?
Real men hunt with bows
Funny, no hunters I've ever met define manhood by the weapon with which they hunt, and in fact, none would ever say something so silly as "Real men hunt!"
owning a weapon for home/self-defense is by all statistics illogical.
I suggest that you reexamine those statistics, which have been shown to be patently false.
To be honest, Adam, I really wish that there was a law that required the name of every engineer who designed a structure to be posted on that structure, in large letters. Because I would want to make sure that I'm never in a building, or crossing a bridge that you designed!
Mark
Good morning.
"This guy is the perfect target for a criminal."
This guy IS a criminal. He is willing to violate your right to self-determination and he feels good about doing it. He is willing to take your property and to let someone take your life and he feels that he has the right because he is morally and intellectually superior to you.
The thing I like least about liberals is their lack of survival instincts. They feel safe pissing off people they consider dangerous.
Michael Frazier
In Switzerland, where everyone owns a gun, the crime rate is low. Washington, DC, where guns are illegal, the crime rate is high.
Not to mention that the 31 states with right to carry laws have lower crime rates then the ones that don't have them. Plus, England is showing just how crimes rates skyrocket when you not only ban guns but make it illegal for home owners to defend themselves. Anyone that truly believes owning a gun for self defense is more dangerous to the gun owner than a cirminal that breaks into the house just doesn't have a brain or chooses not to use it. The real truth is this: The people who want to outlaw firearms are afraid of them, they are cowards and afraid to defend themselves, if they are attacked they think that if they give in to the person they will be safe, if we all become sheep then we will be safe. And Yes, I think my wallet is worth someone elses' life, I have worked and striven for the money in it and should not have to surrender it to some jerk simply because said jerk thinks he has to the right to take it from me by force. He will be met by force from me if he trys. I carry concealed, legally, all the time and will continue to do so.
European nations like England or Germany's property crime rate is four times higher then America. Australia crime rate is high.
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