Change in campus gun law shouldn't pose danger
(Last updated: 06/22/09 7:07pm)A conflict between state law and public university power might lead to an increase in the presence of guns on MSU’s campus. The MSU Board of Trustees voted Friday to allow concealed weapons on campus, assuming the owner has the proper permits. Any person with a concealed weapons permit might bring a gun on campus, but not into any buildings, such as the dorms.
The board said it approved this measure to avoid conflicting with a state law. Allowing properly documented weapons on campus didn’t seem like a big enough issue for the university to fight the state on, so the trustees passed the measure. It’s worth pointing out the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University — all of which are public schools — still have outright bans on weapons across campus. If there was to be a quarrel with the state, it doesn’t seem like MSU would have to fight alone.
It’s likely the board was looking to avoid controversy by claiming state law as the reason to lift the ban. Perhaps it really did believe allowing concealed weapons would make campus safer, but didn’t feel the need to come out and say it to escape some backlash. If that was their reasoning, that’s fine. A large number of MSU students come from a background with guns and know how to operate them safely. Weapons are still banished from MSU buildings, so students still wouldn’t have to be worried about guns being in classrooms.
Tragedies like the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University shootings might seem like ancient history at this point, but both events are less than three years old. Gun safety at colleges is a sensitive subject to say the least. Hearing that MSU will allow more weapons probably won’t invoke a greater feeling of safety among students, but that apprehension should subside. Ultimately, this measure isn’t about preventing an attack; it’s about personal safety for the people who commute to campus. East Lansing might not seem like an area that warrants a concealed weapon, but many students commute to campus from areas with higher crime rates such as Lansing.
Maybe a student carrying a concealed weapon is worried their car might be stolen or that they may be mugged while on their way to campus. If that person is stopped by MSU police, they shouldn’t have to be penalized for something the state allows. To get a permit in the first place, gun owners must complete training designed to teach how to avoid using the gun in a problem situation, and then — if needed — to use it at the latest possible time. They are certified by the state to be responsible enough to handle a weapon safely, and the university shouldn’t have to worry about them being around campus.
Any possible increase in weapons on campus might be an uncomfortable thought for many. These weapons hopefully won’t make their way into classes or dorm rooms, and offenses there will be treated as harshly as they were before. The explanation is a little weak, but the Board of Trustees’ decision is still justifiable.
Originally Published: 06/22/09 7:07pm
Grandma Taters
06/23/09 9:18am“Weapons are still banished from MSU buildings, so students still wouldn’t have to be worried about guns being in classrooms.” Really? Weren’t guns banished from VT and NIU? You shouldn’t worry about people lawfully carrying guns, they are the bad guys. If someone wants to shoot up a campus, banishing guns from class rooms is NOT going to stop them.
Grandma Taters
06/23/09 9:19amsorry, they are not the bad guys is what I meant to say.
Agreed
06/23/09 12:01pmWith the ABOVE Post.
DMG
06/23/09 12:59pmHooray
06/23/09 2:40pmI’m so happy that we will now have 200 heroes walking around on campus!
erg57
06/23/09 3:04pmHow many gun crimes did the VT guy commit before he went nuts? Was he not a law abiding citizen before his rampage…for all intents and purposes? This is a stupid decision.
Chill Out
06/23/09 11:30pmTo Hooray: Having a gun doesn’t make you a hero. By that logic that V-Tech nutjob Cho was one. Leave the cowboys and indians fantasy back in third grade where they belong.
As it stands, people need to chill out. There will not be a shooting at MSU. let me repeat, THERE WILL NOT BE A SHOOTING. Two shootings and people run around scared.
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Townsend
06/24/09 1:03pmIt’s really disappointing how conservative the SN editorial board has become lately (the normal right-wing reactionaries should be rejoicing). The fact is, UM, EMU and Wayne got it right — guns should be banned, outright, on campus and there should be no right for a consealed weapon. Fact is, SN, a college campus, public or not, is not the same as a City or town — it’s a unique place where hundreds, thousands of students living, studying and working in close quarters for a single general purpose — learning.
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hvt
06/24/09 8:21pmHey, Townsend. A law doesn’t magically mean that guns disappear. Someone who really wants to bring a gun on campus for nefarious purposes is not going to check on your stupid rules before doing so. The laws restricting concealed carry you so adore are useless and do nothing to prevent incidents. MSU has simply acknowledged that.
Dr. Knowledge
06/24/09 8:40pmHey Townsend,
What right does the university have to restrict my actions. If I choose to carry my LEGALLY OBTAINED and LAWFULLY CARRIED handgun going through campus to work that is my choice to make not the choice of a school board. I have the right to defend myself if the situation arises, YOU do not have the right to take that from me or anyone else.
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Townsend
06/25/09 11:17amDr. Knowledge, (talk about an oxymoron) whether you legally obtain or carry a gun elsewhere is totally irrelvant here. However one attains one, no gun should be allowed on campus, period. (and I’m sure you’re pissed off the U at the very least told you you can’t take them in buildings, I’ll bet)… Let’s just hope you don’t have a really bad day + someone pissing you off + your gun within arms reach… We’ll all be in trouble then.
Some very good points are...
06/25/09 11:33am….spoken here. Definetly some thought provoking blogs, that is for sure. Good points, I also couldn’t agree with erg57 more.
Dr. Knowledge
06/25/09 6:48pmTownsend,
Articulate to me why there is no right to have a gun on campus. So far all you have done is use emotion as you basis for that decision. And again, look at the facts, concealed pistol carriers have NEVER used a gun out of anger. But I guess facts are to much for you.
Good Progress
06/28/09 10:03pmGreat news! This is a good first step toward full recognition of CCW rights on Michigan college campuses. Hopefully Michigan will soon follow Arizona and Utah in allowing CCW holders to carry in campus buildings, dorms, etc. We don’t need to speculate what would happen if this were allowed, Utah has PROVEN that CCW at college does not result in shoot-outs over bad grades or any of the other ridiculous scenarios suggested.
Let’s hope the new shooting sports complex at MSU will lead to more support for Second Amendment rights on campus.
This whole thing...
06/29/09 11:29am…makes me want to shoot myself. Ha Ha!!!!
John Connor
06/29/09 6:47pmI truely am undecided on how I feel about this article. I read the blogs and still have to think about what I have read, before I can comment myself. I want to thank the paper and those that take the time to add to the articles by leaving their opion.