2008 Woodie Awards
Guns are not the problem
By Anthony Worman
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Op-Ed
The head of the West Chester chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC) wants to see the University code for on-campus gun restriction lifted. Sixteen thousand students nationwide, all members of SCCC, support the same cause. This is one popular solution to the killer-on-campus problem that has breached the security guarantee of a few colleges in the past year. The gun supporters argue that if the college cannot ensure the students' security in the classroom, then the students should be given the opportunity to protect themselves.
The benefits that come from this solution are not helping to solve the problem. The colleges actively restrict guns because they want us to be safe. Allowing more guns into the classroom for the licensed individuals who feel the need to protect us would have to permit any licensed individual to carry that gun. But how does this help those who are not licensed to have a gun feel any safer? Not all students will put their trust in those gun carriers who claim to be on the "right" side.
Putting guns in the hands of any student sitting in a classroom does not make me feel comfortable. If the university becomes a place where attacks and counter attacks, even from a select few are anticipated then it is no longer a place where I want to be. It is not a safety problem that must be settled, it is a psychological problem. Since when did students stop being concerned with reaping the benefits of college and more focused on taking each other's lives?
It is apparent that university grounds are failing to conserve their images as safe havens. The occurrence at Northern Illinois University is just the latest validation of how the tragedy of Virginia Tech can so easily repeat itself. Carrying guns in self-defense assumes that this trend will continue. "In the light of the changing nature of the world, it's a necessary protective measure," says Villanova law student and SCCC supporter Peter Caltagirone.
While I admit it is a changing world, it is accordingly outdated to try to solve its problems by re-embracing guns. What I would like to offer as a solution is a challenge to the students, the faculty and the school administrators alike. Let's work on taking steps to acclimate these students instead of pointing guns at them. After all, the University's mission is not to create a conflict zone, but it is to construct its students into reasonable adults who can solve these sorts of challenges on their own; without a gun on their hip.
Anthony Worman is a third-year student majoring in philosophy. He can be reached at AW606200@wcupa.edu.
The benefits that come from this solution are not helping to solve the problem. The colleges actively restrict guns because they want us to be safe. Allowing more guns into the classroom for the licensed individuals who feel the need to protect us would have to permit any licensed individual to carry that gun. But how does this help those who are not licensed to have a gun feel any safer? Not all students will put their trust in those gun carriers who claim to be on the "right" side.
Putting guns in the hands of any student sitting in a classroom does not make me feel comfortable. If the university becomes a place where attacks and counter attacks, even from a select few are anticipated then it is no longer a place where I want to be. It is not a safety problem that must be settled, it is a psychological problem. Since when did students stop being concerned with reaping the benefits of college and more focused on taking each other's lives?
It is apparent that university grounds are failing to conserve their images as safe havens. The occurrence at Northern Illinois University is just the latest validation of how the tragedy of Virginia Tech can so easily repeat itself. Carrying guns in self-defense assumes that this trend will continue. "In the light of the changing nature of the world, it's a necessary protective measure," says Villanova law student and SCCC supporter Peter Caltagirone.
While I admit it is a changing world, it is accordingly outdated to try to solve its problems by re-embracing guns. What I would like to offer as a solution is a challenge to the students, the faculty and the school administrators alike. Let's work on taking steps to acclimate these students instead of pointing guns at them. After all, the University's mission is not to create a conflict zone, but it is to construct its students into reasonable adults who can solve these sorts of challenges on their own; without a gun on their hip.
Anthony Worman is a third-year student majoring in philosophy. He can be reached at AW606200@wcupa.edu.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Matt
posted 4/01/08 @ 4:46 AM EST
So, after we've done everything we can to "acclimate students," and they still decide to start shooting people, then what? Placing guns in the hands of students who are licensed to carry them on campus was never meant to stop these people from doing what they do. (Continued…)
Wendy Weinbaum
posted 4/01/08 @ 1:10 PM EST
As a Jewess in the US, may I remind you, Anthony, that criminals are stopped by FIREARMS, not by talk? And that America wasn't won with a registered gun? That is why all REAL Americans put our 2nd Amendment FIRST! (And by the way, I used to be a Philosophy major, too - before I grew up and switched to business. (Continued…)
Henry
posted 4/01/08 @ 2:25 PM EST
"The colleges actively restrict guns because they want us to be safe."
No, Anthony -- the colleges restrict guns because they want you to FEEL safe. (Continued…)
Anthony
posted 4/01/08 @ 7:49 PM EST
I appreciate all of your insight, and would like to point out a few things:
Matt--In my own ideal world, "acclimating" the students would help them adapt in such a way that they would have no desire to take their classmates' lives. (Continued…)
John
posted 4/01/08 @ 9:32 PM EST
Apologies for butting in, y'all. I have a different perspective, having graduated from high school back in '53. Back in those days it actually WAS safe to wander thru all parts of town at any and all hours of the night except in the very worst parts of the largest cities. (Continued…)
marcel
posted 4/07/08 @ 6:27 PM EST
Guns don't kill people, people do. Without guns people would just resort to biting each other to death.
Jim Day
posted 4/14/08 @ 5:55 PM EST
Make Money Fast by Transforming 6 Dollars into Thousands of Dollars
Here's a legal way to supplement your income by earning thousands of dollars using the standard mail delivery service. (Continued…)
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