Bump for my beloved alma mater. Go Rams!
Posted on 09/08/2001 1:35:52 PM PDT by t-shirt
Student says guns offer best protection
By Jenn Farrell
JenniferFarrell@coloradoan.com
Sept. 8, 2001
While some Colorado State University students are arming themselves with martial arts skills or pepper spray in the wake of a series of sexual assaults around Fort Collins, a meeting on campus Friday was designed to draw attention to firearms as another option.
"We're simply saying there is an alternative to Mace, there is an alternative to karate, and that is a firearm," said Ray Hickman of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners. "No one has discussed the true equalizer."
Hickman, and a student who would only be identified as "Annie," said they believe firearms are a self-defense option and that people with concealed weapons permits should be allowed to carry the firearms on the Colorado State University's campus.
Since May 10, a man has sexually assaulted six Fort Collins women after breaking into their apartments. In the last attack - Aug. 23 - two women were home but the man fled before assaulting the second woman.
Concealed weapons permit holders are allowed to carry their weapons on campus under a state statute, although students living in residence halls must store their firearms at the police department, said CSU Police Chief Donn Hopkins.
Last fall, Hopkins and other CSU officials drafted a university policy that would have prohibited concealed weapons from being carried on campus. Hopkins tried to get the state statute altered, but neither the proposed policy, nor efforts to change the statute, were successful.
Annie - which is not the woman's real name- is a 23-year-old senior majoring in economics. On Thursday, she was granted an emergency concealed weapons permit by Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden.
She plans to carry a .38-special with her when she goes from her off-campus apartment to CSU to study, work or attend class.
Annie said she didn't think pepper spray or self-defense training would keep her safe from an attacker. "I just think it's irresponsible to put yourself in a position where you are open to assault," she said. "This is something I feel is necessary for myself."
While Annie said she feels comfortable with her decision, other students' reactions on whether guns should be allowed on campus were mixed.
"If you're able to get a permit and carry it legally, then you should be allowed to carry it," said Shannon Lynch, a junior.
People who obtain permits have been trained and know how to handle their firearm, she said.
"I'm sure if you have a gun - it's the way I was raised - you have experience with it and know how to use it," said junior Tim Liemandt. "It's fine with me. I'm not going to mess with them."
But other students said they didn't like the idea of classmates carrying firearms and think options such as the Campus SafeWalk, which provides escorts in the area around campus, and other security measures are enough.
"I don't feel comfortable with any sort of weapon anyway," said junior Stacy Coleman. "I don't see why they need one to begin with ... I feel perfectly safe on campus despite what's been happening in Fort Collins."
Senior Erin Fugler and Lynch both said they recently purchased pepper spray and have practiced using it.
"I think there are other ways of protecting yourself on campus at night," Fugler said. "I think weapons are a little extreme."
"Annie" said she doesn't think pepper spray would be enough to stop an attacker and she believes that a firearm was an appropriate choice.
Local law enforcement agencies haven't seen an increase in the number of people requesting concealed weapons permits since the sexual assaults began in May, according to Alderden and Rita Davis, Fort Collins police spokeswoman.
But if someone is considering the option, there are a couple things they should consider, Alderden said.
"I think anyone who wants a concealed weapons permit needs to think it through and decide if it's a responsibility they want to assume," he said, adding that they also need to make sure they are willing to use the firearm for defense if necessary. Otherwise, he said, an attacker could potentially use it against the gun owner.
Support the NRA and your 2nd Amendment Rights.
Miss Erin might think rape is a little extreme if she was the victim. My daughters are all fire-arm trained. By me first, and for 2 of them, by their Uncle Sam (USN and ANG). The middle one actually scored expert on hand grenade, but that would be a little extreme.
/john
Why? Gets the job done and none of this silliness about being sued by a wounded perpetrator.
Regards,
Yorktown University should suffice.
Some variable can be controlled, such as the places a person goes, and the kinds of people they associate with. Under those circumstances discretion is the best defense. Other variables in our lives cannot be controlled, and in many of those cases, the best defense is a firearm and the proper training in its usage
Liberals opposed to the use of guns, might try packing one of these handy farm tools. Properly applied, the rapist will lose the desire. The drawback, however, is that it might take up to four strong bodies to hold him down while the treatment is given.
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