Concealed Carry On Campus?
Student Association Seeks Input from Student Body on Controversial Resolution
Joe Schroeder
Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Opinion
On February 3rd, 2009, Resolution Six regarding Concealed Carry on Campus was introduced to the TU's Student Association Senate. The Resolution, if passed, would request that the TU Administration honor the use of concealed carry permits on campus.
What is concealed carry? Concealed Carry is the legal authorization for private citizens to carry concealed weapons (usually in the form of a handgun) in public spaces. This authorization is usually given by means of a permit, which one obtains according to laws put in place by one's state. Oklahoma is one of 39 "shall-issue" states across the country, meaning that anyone meeting certain standards (training courses, etc.) "shall" be issued a concealed carry permit if they ask for one. It is estimated that only 1 to 5 percent of all U.S. adults currently hold a concealed permit.
Legalizing concealed carry on campus is not a discussion confined only to TU. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a grassroots organization having 35,000 members, currently lobbies for such change nationwide. Last year 13 states considered applying similar measures to their colleges and universities. Oklahoma was one of these. During the several weeks of 2009, both Texas and Oklahoma have reintroduced similar measures into their state legislatures. In addition, there are currently 11 schools nationwide that recognize concealed carry permits on their campuses. Nine of these are in Utah, which requires its public higher education institutions to grant such recognition.
What will happen at TU?
Resolution Six has been referred to the Student Investigative Committee for research and evaluation. SA Senators of that committee will be speaking with Mr. Mark Darrah, an attorney kept on retainer by TU, about the legal ramifications of any SA action, and, most importantly, watching the student poll now up on WebCT. It is likely that their decision will reflect that given by the poll, so please exercise your democratic responsibilities by taking the time to vote.
What is concealed carry? Concealed Carry is the legal authorization for private citizens to carry concealed weapons (usually in the form of a handgun) in public spaces. This authorization is usually given by means of a permit, which one obtains according to laws put in place by one's state. Oklahoma is one of 39 "shall-issue" states across the country, meaning that anyone meeting certain standards (training courses, etc.) "shall" be issued a concealed carry permit if they ask for one. It is estimated that only 1 to 5 percent of all U.S. adults currently hold a concealed permit.
Legalizing concealed carry on campus is not a discussion confined only to TU. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a grassroots organization having 35,000 members, currently lobbies for such change nationwide. Last year 13 states considered applying similar measures to their colleges and universities. Oklahoma was one of these. During the several weeks of 2009, both Texas and Oklahoma have reintroduced similar measures into their state legislatures. In addition, there are currently 11 schools nationwide that recognize concealed carry permits on their campuses. Nine of these are in Utah, which requires its public higher education institutions to grant such recognition.
What will happen at TU?
Resolution Six has been referred to the Student Investigative Committee for research and evaluation. SA Senators of that committee will be speaking with Mr. Mark Darrah, an attorney kept on retainer by TU, about the legal ramifications of any SA action, and, most importantly, watching the student poll now up on WebCT. It is likely that their decision will reflect that given by the poll, so please exercise your democratic responsibilities by taking the time to vote.
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