OUR OPINION: With the implementation of Senate Bill 11, campus wide access to guns is important and necessary.
As the Constitution states in the Second Amendment: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Starting in August of 2016, all Texas universities will begin enforcing Senate Bill 11, also known as the campus carry law, allowing licensed holders to carry a concealed handgun on campus.
Guns should be allowed everywhere on campus, at all times and members of the task force actually have little flexibility regarding implementation of the law. Previous legislation already provides for one exception: sporting events.
We also believe that licensed holders should be required to register their guns with campus police, so university police officers have a record of who is carrying and who is not.
This law has many benefits for universities across Texas. School shootings have become almost common, and, even in a crisis, we never know how long it will take for the police to arrive on the scene. With this campus carry law, students will be able to protect themselves and their fellow classmates. Licensed weapon holders can take action against the shooter before innocent lives are taken.
We would be naïve if we didn’t acknowledge the other side. Access to guns will literally be at our fingertips and even easier access to buildings full of innocent, unsuspecting students, faculty and staff. It is possible someone will get hurt. But it is also possible lives will be saved. The benefits outweigh the risks.
There’s not a win-win situation with the campus carry law.
No decision is perfect, because there will always be someone who disagrees. Active shooters do not stop until force is applied. This law will allow the proper force to be applied in the fastest way possible.
Understand your rights as this new law comes into play, and know that the police aren’t the only ones to protect us anymore.
YOUR OPINION: Fill out the Campus Carry Task Force survey.
