Many students believe that the passing of such legislation would pose “a greater threat to students”, and the only people that could handle active threats are campus police, according to the bill written by Faulk.
College students in Texas will soon be allowed to bring their guns to class along with their books and pencils.
Beginning on Aug. 1, a state law will admit licensed gun owners to carry a concealed firearm on to any public junior college in the state.
This comes after a hail of media coverage on the mass shootings across the United States, some of which took place on college campuses. In response to the shootings, president Barack Obama made executive orders, which could increase regulation of gun sales in the country.
While the state of Tennessee still prohibits firearms on campus, some students at the University of Memphis hope to change that.
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The group, Students for Concealed Carry at the University of Memphis, is trying to change the perception people have about students carrying guns on campus. They’re also aiming to change state law by getting attention from state lawmakers, explained Stuart Dedmon, president of the organization.
“I am in contact with state legislatures on a weekly basis,†Dedmon said. “I have the opportunity and privilege of meeting with representatives and senators on a weekly basis to draft new legislation to further the basic cause of SCC.â€
Tennessee requires background checks on the purchases of guns from licensed dealers. Because of the selfdefense law, Tennessee also allows for residents to carry a loaded handgun in their vehicle without a permit.
In Texas, there’s a mixture of opinions on the campus gun laws.
“As a college student, I believe that I should be given the same responsibility as any adult citizen in regards to self-defense,†said Texas Christian University student, Kelsey Olohan. “Not only because of my age and standing with the law, but because the law would punish me the same way as any adult for any crimes committed.â€
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s “New Laws for Handgun Licensing Program,†handguns must be concealed when carried on a college campus even with a license and if the gun is holstered.
School administrators will be allowed to impose “reasonable regulations†on where and how the guns are carried on campus. Though carrying a concealed weapon will be legal on college campuses, the law states businesses can still prohibit guns on their property.
University of Texas at Austin student Taylor Brown said he was not for the law passing.
“Adding weapons into the mix of this emotionally charged atmosphere concerns me,†Brown said. “Most of the crime taking place around a college campus stems from emotional situations, such as date rape, theft, fighting and alcohol related crimes already. I really believe emotionally charged crimes will increase with guns.â€
It was in 1966 when Charles Whitman climbed to the top of the University of Texas Tower and shot 43 people, 14 of whom died. With campus carry being allowed in Texas, the mass murder of ’66 is brought back up into the picture.
“Allowing students to bring weapons to campus could lead to a similar incident,†Brown said. “(My school) has a population of about 50,000 students. There is a very high chance that not all of the
