The highest court of Colorado overturned CU-Boulder’s gun ban in March. Students who choose to utilize the law and carry a concealed weapon must be 21 and abide by a set of requirements, including passing a background check and submitting fingerprints.

Overturning the ban comes at a difficult time for many students at CU-Boulder considering James Holmes, the man who allegedly killed 12 innocent people at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., was a student in the CU system.

The idea of guns being allowed in classrooms makes many students and professors nervous, as class discussions often become heated and no professor wants his classroom to feel unsafe.

But CU-Boulder is not the only campus in the United States that allows concealed weapons. MSU’s Board of Trustees voted in 2009 to allow concealed weapons on campus to permit holders, although guns still are banned in campus buildings and residence halls. Since its passage, MSU has not faced any substantial issues with weapons on campus.

But is bringing a gun on a college campus necessary?

Students want to feel safe while on campus, but having a gun might not be the answer. Crime happens on campus constantly, but students who want to protect themselves should consider investing in mace or other less threatening weapons before deciding to take the actions necessary to legally obtain a firearm.

Banning weapons on campus does not guarantee a student’s safety, and allowing them on campus will not guarantee safety either. But the right to bear arms is a key amendment in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, and students should be allowed to carry a gun on campus if it helps them feel safe as long as they have the proper permits and licensing.

Ultimately, as many say, guns are not what kill people, people kill each other, and eliminating guns most likely would not decrease crime or make campus safer.

Although college is an environment that promotes growth and knowledge among its students, some participate in illicit activities such as drinking and using drugs.

With widespread use of narcotics, students’ emotions and sense of reason can be tampered with, possibly creating a dangerous environment for those around them. Students who hold guns could, in these situations, be especially dangerous, as many do not realize the consequences of their actions and act without logic.

Students should have the right to carry a concealed weapon on campus, as the Constitution permits, but many should consider other weapons before they turn to firearms. Students should feel safe where they attend school, and allowing guns on campus can help some students feel safe, but others extremely uncomfortable.