Those that oppose the allowing of firearms on campus also assert that there are other ways to make college campuses more secure. For instance, the development of campus wide alarms, email and text alerts have been implemented at college campuses throughout the country (Magnusson, 2008). In addition opponents argue that tighter laws governing the mental health status of students should be examined so that people who have a history of mental illness are monitored more carefully. They argue this is important because both of the perpetrators of recent college campus shootings were treated for mental illness. Opponent of guns on campus argue that careful monitoring and greater vigilance it what is needed and not the addition of guns to college campuses.
Are Campuses Safer with or without firearms
The arguments for and against the allowing of firearms on campuses really boils down to what makes the campus safer. The apprehension that many schools have about allowing firearms on campus, have to do with the idea that allowing firearms will actually make campuses less safe. These schools believe that the chances of someone going on a rampage is so slim that permitting students and faculty to carry weapons is not necessary and actually increases the likelihood that someone will be shot accidentally or that disagreements may escalate and someone carrying a gun will act irrationally (Comerford, 2007).
Others argue that the fatalities suffered at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University would have been less severe had someone, besides the gunman, had access to a firearm. Although it is true that the chances of a rampage occurring are slim, it is still possible and it seems that in recent years the likelihood of such a rampage occurring on a college campus is more likely. With this understood, it can also be argued that allowing firearms on campus can increase campus safety.
The research found that Utah is the only state that has passed statewide legislation allowing firearms on the campuses of public colleges and Universities. Other states such as Oklahoma, Kentucky and Ohio have attempted to pass laws allowing firearms on college campuses during the year 2008. In addition some universities have established an outright ban on firearms on college campuses. There are mixed beliefs concerning whether or not firearms make college campuses safer. Some believe having firearms can reduce the severity of rampages if and when they do occur. Others argue that firearms make campuses less safe because accidental shootings are more likely to occur. The allowing of firearms onto college campuses has been a hot button issue over the last few months. The research indicates that the debate over firearms on college campuses is sure to continue well into the future. However everyone seems to concur that college campuses are not as safe as they need to be and students and faculty are often left feeling helpless because of the lack of the limitations they have as it pertains to self-defense.
References
Bello, Marisol. 12 states debate guns on campus. USA Today. Retrieved October 23,2008 from; http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080215/a_campusguns15.art.htm
Comerford, Mike. (2007) High Cost of Campus Security Colleges Have Been Forced to Spend More. Daily Herald. Pg1
Magnuson, Stew. March, 2008. "Mass Notification alerts spread on campuses."
National Defense
Utah only state to allow guns at college." Retrieved October 23,2008 from;
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18355953
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