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Concerning gun rights…
In February 2009, Texas Senator Jeff Wentworth introduced Senate Bill 1164, which, “will allow persons who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon to do so on college campuses in Texas.” The bill passed by a 20-10 vote in the Senate and has been stalled in the lower chamber, though half of the House members endorse the House version.
Click here for text of the bill.
During college, I held the belief that guns were too dangerous for citizens to openly carry and posses outside of private property. I have since reformed my position and taken a more libertarian approach to the issue. However, I am not convinced students should carry weapons on campus. I do believe the more lax gun laws become, the more likely citizens will educate themselves on firearms and responsible usage. Regardless, the conversation on gun rights must continue and resolution on the issue must be settled.
College campuses are no exception to heinous crimes and senseless violence, as experienced on UT’s campus last week. Many believe if students and faculty held the right to bear arms on campus, a deterrent factor would play into anyone’s decision-making before storming campus with deadly intent. I have also heard the argument that if we solely rely on authorities and the state to protect us in all public environments, the American citizen is ultimately stripped of liberty and self-protection in critical circumstances.
History details many narratives where limited or denied gun rights disempower citizenry and establish legal precedents of over-assertive government imposition. As a liberal and critical thinker, I am hesitant to accept that completely lifting campus gun restrictions will create a safer environment for learning, but I am sensitive to preserving and expanding civil liberties. This issue deserves more debate and deliberation.
My heart goes out to everyone who must face this latest tragedy first hand. As the debate over Senate Bill 1164 and rights to bear arms continues, I hope all Longhorns, critics, and punditry remain united in their efforts to better our intellectual communities.
-Brandon Chicotsky
