Safety on college campuses is a large concern for everyone involved, including students, families and faculty. Campus Safety and police forces are usually present on campus, yet students can also take extra precautions to ensure their own safety. One such option on many campuses is the ability to legally carry a concealed gun. This is not allowed on DU campus though, even if one has a legal concealed carry permit; a measure that should remain in place, even amidst heavy gun control debates, in support of student safety, comfort and higher education.
In the state of Colorado, lawful citizens are legally allowed to carry a concealed weapon, with a concealed carry permit. Colleges such as Colorado State University and the University of Colorado campuses allow permit holders to carry their weapons, whether they’re going to class or simply studying on campus. However, since DU is a private university, it is allowed to mandate its own policy in concern to concealed carry weapons.
Local criminal defense attorney and handgun instructor Danny Luneau gave his voice to the subject in support of allowing concealed carry on all college campuses.“The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” he said. Luneau reasoned that, though police have a quick response time, a person with a concealed handgun would have the chance to defend him or herself against a possible attacker. This idea extends to college campuses, even in class. Plus, Luneau supports legal concealed carry permits being given to persons of 21 years of age after a handgun training class, application fee and a background check.
If concealed carry was legally allowed on DU campus, handguns could potentially be carried by faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students 21 years or older. While the legality and reasoning behind owning a concealed carry gun should be respected, handguns should remain outlawed at DU. Off campus, the ability to carry a concealed weapon should be respected and upheld, especially since instances of recent crime such as armed robbery or assault occur on off-campus streets and locations. However, on campus, students carrying weapons isn’t necessarily safer because few citizens feel comfortable using their weapons in an emergency. There are many reports of citizens who don’t feel safe or able to use their weapon as defense in an attack, citing fear of becoming a target or shooting the wrong person.
Plus, wondering whether or not the people around in class, or the professors, are secretly carrying a loaded gun is slightly unnerving and could be detrimental for a positive learning environment. Someone looking to attack a school or university campus is on a mission with little concern for their own outcome, so the possibility of other people being armed wouldn’t be a strong deterrent. In this way, concealed guns being present in class could serve as distraction and a fear for students, outweighing the gun’s ability to possibly serve as protection in case of a threat.
Though having a legal concealed carry is a personal decision for many people in consideration to their individual safety, handguns shouldn’t be allowed on campus. In accordance with DU policy, concealed handguns should remain off campus in the best interest of student safety, comfort and education.
