Posted on 07/17/2007 1:36:20 PM PDT by neverdem
While efforts to allow students and faculty with concealed permits to carry on campus is not new, the tragedy at Virginia Tech is inspiring an organized movement among students.
Twenty-five-year-old Andrew Dysart spent four years in the Marine Corps. He is now studying criminal justice at George Mason University. After April 16th, Dysart, a concealed gun permit holder, started wondering how he would defend himself on his campus. His curiosity led him to start Students for Concealed Carry.
"We believe that students with concealed handgun permits should be allowed to carry their handguns on campus, just like they're allowed to anywhere else in the state," says Dysart.
Many students carry concealed weapons off-campus without incident every day. Dysart does not believe they should be forced to disarm at school. He has also heard from students at other schools, including Virginia Tech, interested in starting their own movements. His group now has 55 members.
Dysart does not know if a concealed permit holder could have helped save lives at Virginia Tech.
"But I do think those students should have had a chance. If they've been through the training, they should have had that chance on campus. That's a chance that Virginia Tech didn't give them. That's a chance that George Mason doesn't give me," says Dysart.
Efforts to allow concealed carry on campuses have been swiftly killed by a House of Delegates Committee for two years now, partly because many college administrators do not like the idea.
The Virginia Tech Review panel will hold its final meeting Wednesday.
The other thing that should come out of this is the confidentiality laws with mentally ill people. I’m not talking about with respect to guns. I’m talking about the way they can make a person an island.
I can tell you, as someone who was married to a mentally ill person, the confidentiality laws keep the family from knowing what is going on a mentally ill persons life.
It’s like the law has no understanding that family and friends are the last bulwark between a mentally ill person and absolute destruction. This is definitely a topic that should be explored.
I’m late for a class and I’m packin’: out of my way!!!
There. One must strive for accuracy...
Back in the 70's we had an employee with a son who had mental problems and was going to a psychiatric clinic on Lafayette Ave. here in Detroit. Due to the confidentiality laws, the parents weren't told that the son harbored thoughts of killing them. Ultimately the son shot both the mother and father but killing only the mother............
I knew a girl from way back when who kept a derringer in her purse or bookbag.
absolutely ! carry is the answer. when it hits the fan you will be alone on your own.
I go to ETSU, which is mere hours away from Va. tech, and marksmanship is one of the most popular classes here (we have a range in the basement of the minidome).
If school administrators are not willing to let any handgun permit holder carry, couldn’t they at least let ROTC and/or those who have paid to take the marksmanship class carry? It would improve safety and likely put money in their pockets.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I attended USC (CAL) back in the mid 70’s, and worked as a tow truck driver. I often carried to class before or after my shift (which often included repossessions), and no one was the wiser. It was “don’t ask, don’t tell”, and I never shot anyone, even when they gave me crap. I did relocate avehicle or two though :)
There is no way for George Mason or VT to guarantee the safety of all their students at all times while they are on campus. Both universities are just way too big. Forcibly disarming the students effectively prohibits them from defending themselves. So now you have a situation where kids are defenseless and the schools are unable to protect them. In the age of frivolous lawsuits and hypersensitivity and political correctness, how long will it take for the schools to realize that they are facing a great amount of liability for the safety of their students?
Am I for giving a handgun to every single drunk 17yr old incoming freshmen? No, of course not. Am I for allowing those over 21 with a CCW to carry concealed on campus as long as they follow the state laws regarding CCWs? Yes, I think it might be worth a try. CCW-people have a far, far, far lower crime rate than non-CCW-people, that has been proven time and time again in multiple states. Why? I’m not sure, but perhaps its because of all the rubbish we had to go through to get the CCWs in the first place...
All I’m asking is give it a try, GMU and VT. Just give it a try.
That should be another exception for concealed carry, though I don’t know other state’s ages, only CT. I think ANY service member should be able to carry concealed, regardless of age or where they live.
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