Legislation put forward to allow students in colleges and universities in Texas to carry guns

[karadinart]

So, friends who are students, who are parents of students and friends who are professors, what do you think?

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20110221-legislation-to-allow-concealed-handguns-on-texas-campuses-worries-dallas-area-students.ece

I can't think it's a good idea, I don't know that I'd let my child into such an environment, or want to teach in one.

Comments

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Oh hell no. I don't like people having guns around me, since there's no way fo me to know they aren't crazy.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

exactly!

[ashura-oh.livejournal.com]

Excuse me? Do we need LEGAL massacres now?! My high school was a likely place to be the next Columbine, but we managed to have a look for each other, I don't need university to become a place where that kind of thing is even encouraged.

And if you excuse the rather simple question - what are weapons in schools supposed to be used for? Crotch padding?

[karadin.livejournal.com]

defense - from other students with guns, apparently.

[ashura-oh.livejournal.com]

I'll spare you of my comment about that.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

yes because more guns is better, (rolls eyes)

[unovis.livejournal.com]

Oh HELL no!
I went to UT Austin. The last thing that campus needs is students with concealed firearms. There's already a "gun culture" among a certain population (when I was a student, the Daily Texan posted gun-buying guides at Christmas; how to pick one for your girl!).

[karadin.livejournal.com]

I know all about the gun culture there, I grew up in TX, which is why I live in MN, as far away from it as I can get.

[aka-pine-writer.livejournal.com]

Okay, I might be the odd one out, but I think guns do have a place...however, that place is at home, NOT on college campuses.

I just finished my first semester at a university, and it was a good experience. However, I feel that there were situations on campus that could have gone sour if there were concealed guns in the mix- one of my professors was being stalked by a student, and the student wasn't really all *there*. There was another incident on the floor above me where a girl got into a fight with her roomie, and then got her boyfriend to muscle in as well.

I had an enlightening conversation with a friend who has schizophrenia. Apparently if she really wanted one, she could get a gun if she left the state (we live in Illinois), and that's if the background check was done and her little red flag came up. Background checks are not thorough.

Again, I'm not anti-gun. I think they can have their place at home, provided you have the proper training, license, and respect for it. But to give college students a carte blanche...

This just gives me another reason to dislike and avoid Texas.