A gun free zone is identified by federal laws, state laws, and sometimes even local policies. Due to the nature of this paper being about firearms on campus, the focus for legality will be school zones. The federal government has established a definition for a school zone under United States Code (U.S.C.) Title 18 in Chapter 44 Section 921 (a) (25) “The term “school zone” means – (A) in, or on the grounds of, a public, parochial or private school; or (B) within a distance of 1,000 feet from the grounds of a public, parochial or private school.” The term “school” is defined in Section 921 (a) (26) as “a school which provides elementary or secondary education, as determined under state law.” State laws are a little different, for example North Carolina uses General Statute 14-269.2 to cover weapons on campus or other educational property. Section (a) (1) covers educational property which includes school buildings, busses, campus, grounds, recreational areas, athletic fields, or anything owned or used by a board of education or school board of trustees, or directors for the administration of any school. In section (a) (1b) a school is defined as “a public or private school, community college, college, or university.” This means that the states can make it more stringent for definitions. In order to make a …show more content…
The only way to restrict firearms on elementary and secondary campuses is to restrict the carrying of firearms. There are two predominant ways to restrict firearms on college campuses. The two approaches as stated in Guns on Campus: A History, are “prohibition in dorms and university-owned housing (on campus and off) and prohibition on carrying weapons on campus (Guns on Campus: A History, 201, p.413). There are many reasons that organizations and people argue for these restrictions to be in place on campus. The other side is trying to argue that the second amendment provides that all persons should be able to “keep and bear arms” including on
Currently, seventeen states ban the conceal and carry of weapons on campus; twenty four states leave the the decisions in the hands of colleges; eight states have special provisions that allow for the carrying of concealed firearms, and only one state has no jurisdiction over this issue. The threat of mass shooting on college campuses should not be overlooked; however, allowing firearms on campuses endangers the very issue gun advocates are trying to
But this much is clear: guns do nothing to help universities attain the kind of safety they desire and need -- the safety that enables intellectual and political exploration. Guns by their very nature dampen speech -- they chasten it. Colleges simply cannot tolerate
Students today live their day-to-day lives in constant fear of what seems inevitable. The United States has one of the highests rates of school shootings in the world. Society has become so desensitized to these shootings that they are no longer shocked to hear about another school falling victim to it. Even when students take a stand against gun violence, the only solution offered to them is a proposition to arm teachers. However, bringing more guns into a school will only further deteriorate the situation.
For the most part that is true, however most students that take the time to go get a permit to carry a handgun are more responsible than those who like to party and act out. In addition, the state laws prohibit the carry of a firearm if they are under the influence. The job of protecting campuses should be left to professionals some might say, however if an attacker walks into a classroom and there is only one way in and out by the time the cops get there it will more than likely be too late. That is another reason concealed carry should be allowed on campus.
Parents feel that guns should be allowed on campus so that students and staff can protect themselves in dangerous situations and also by being an American citizen it is one of our Constitutional rights. Guns should be allowed on college campuses because they provide better safety for students, the second amendment, and when requirements for carrying a weapon are in place. The Second Amendment is the right to bear all arms. “Activities for conceal and carry laws on college and university campuses read the Second Amendment as an overarching right to have weapons, regardless of location.”
This world has become filled with unimaginable violence and a significant amount of deaths caused by mass public shooters. The targets of the mass shootings have been places that have a gun-free zone sign posted on the wall. In 1995, the gun-free school zone act was passed which prohibited a person, with possession of a firearm, to step foot on school grounds. This act would allow certain people to be exempt from the gun-free school zone, which includes retired law enforcement officers and a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon. This bill would keep a school relatively safe because it would mean a person that does not have a license to carry a concealed firearm would be charged with a felony.
I feel that the people ever allowed to bring guns onto school grounds are law enforcement. Many people, such as myself, would not feel safe being in a school environment being around people with guns on their hip. We come to school to learn and to hopefully feel safe, but having tons of people with guns on them would not make me feel safe whatsoever. Yes, if there ever was a school shooting on campus, it could help bring the victim level down if there is someone in the area of the shooter. School shootings are pretty rare even though they have been more frequent recently.
According to Armed Capuses.org, “The overwhelming majority of the 4,400 colleges and universities in the United States prohibit the carrying of firearms on their campuses”. The controversy that surrounds the concealed carry on college campuses vary from negative comments to positive comments. The focus should not be would weapons make people feel uncomfortable like most articles are introducing. The main focus
Several studies mention that licensed concealed carry weapons aren’t involved in crimes that happen on campus. Certain individuals that do commit crimes on and off campus, generally don’t go through background checks to obtain legal concealed weapons. Gun permit requirements vary by state but most require that applicants are the legal minimum age, complete a safety course and have sound criminal and mental histories (Collins). Allowing students to carry concealed weapons on campus could be considered dangerous; however, having these students’ complete safety courses and go through testing that proves they are mentally capable could prevent it from being dangerous. Certain campuses also don’t allow students to carry conceal in classrooms or in dorms.
Requirements should be as strict as receiving your driver’s license. “The Campaign To keep Guns Off Campus” This campaign works with colleges and universities. They oppose legislative policies that reinforce the carrying concealed guns on campus bill. Since 2008, the campaign has helped to stop campus carry legislation in 18 states.
Guns can either solve the problem or make it worse. Many colleges shooting happens when the student is the shooter. If more college allows this law into school its basically making the shooter mission easier. They are putting innocent people in danger. So many factors play a part in this law.
Firstly, the arming of students, faculty and staff should be prohibited because its unsafe. The debate on whether staff, faculty and students should carry firearms on campuses has been going for years now. Some colleges have debated that a law should be passed were staff and faculty should carry firearms on campus, but other colleges have dismissed this case because it is dangerous and unsafe. According to Jesus Villahermosa’s essay “Guns don’t belong in the Hands of Administrators, Professors, or Students” he states, “I agree that allowing guns on campuses will create problems, not solve them.” This statement is true because not everyone is capable to handle a gun or even use one.
Imagine being in a public area such as a mall or a theater and some random nut-job comes in with a gun threatening to shoot everyone. Now imagine this in a school setting. People are in school and they hear the spontaneous gun fire. Consequently, bloodcurdling screams are littered throughout the building. As petrifying and daunting as this may sound, this kind of scene from horror movies is rampant throughout the United States.
But even if we do this does not mean that more deaths will not occur as a result of this, in the heat of the moment people are not going to be thinking about what is the safest thing to do they are just going to shoot. So it is not safe at all to allow any type of guns in the college campus. Lastly, permitting guns in the college campus in very unsafe thing to do. If we allow guns in college, students in the dorms might steal it and commit even more violence. It is very possible that gun can go off by accident.
Guns have no role in our country schools. Schools and colleges are places of education. Students should be free to learn in an environment away from every day violence. The catastrophes that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Columbine High School, and Virginia Tech. confirm the penetrating conclusion guns have in our nation’s schools. Violence on campus has Students, Parent, and University Staff all concerned and looking for preventative measures.