Should Concealed Weapons Be Allowed In Schools
Eight states currently have laws that allow students and faculty to carry concealed weapons on campuses. In 24 other states, individual colleges can decide whether or not to allow firearms on the premises. (“Death Statistics Belie Impact of Children's Gun Injuries”) The debate involving if concealed weapons should or should not be allowed on college Universities, has been active since the early 90’s. In fact, school shootings in the United States have occurred as early as the 18th and 19th century. The first college shooting that occurred in the United States was July 26th, 1764 in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. Since 2013, there has been 142 school shootings in the United States, and since 2008 there has been 11 school shootings in the state of Illinois. (“Gun Control Overview”) Currently, Illinois prohibits the
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knowing possession or carrying of any firearm on an individual in any community college, college or university. There is the argument that concealed weapons should be allowed by individuals on campuses and universities. Individuals who argue this believe that it will allow the community of the specific college or university to feel safe but data, articles, and previous experience proves that this is not the case. The state of Illinois should not allow permit students, faculty, and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus. If concealed weapons are allowed on campus it can lead to even more violence. These concealed weapons will distract not only students from learning, but teachers because they may feel uncomfortable with weapons in their teaching spaces.
Weapons are used for two reasons, to protect, and to enforce pain, but when looking at the ending result, weapons are used to kill. If concealed weapons are allowed on campuses and universities in the state of Illinois, violence and crime will increase. These crimes include robbery, rape, shootings, massacres, suicide and several other violent incidents and actions. If concealed weapons are to be legal on campus, they will be highly accessible for those who want to hurt people to do so. When owning a weapon, that person feels like they are powerful than anyone. A study was done at Harvard University that involved over 10,000 undergraduate, at over 100 universities across the United States. These students were sent a mailed questionnaire that asked about gun possession and any threats that they witnessed, or experienced. Approximately, 4,3% of the subjects stated that they had a working firearm at the university they were attending, and 1.6% of them have been threatened with a gun during their college experience. (“Assessing views about gun violence reduction policy: A look at type of violence and expected effectiveness”) The study indicates that since there are a lot of parties in college, binge drinking, and drugs, most students (especially on weekends) are not fully aware of their actions or actions of others. A 2007 study by National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that nearly half of America’s 5.4 million full-time college student abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month. This study also found that alcohol is involved in 95% of the violent crime on campus. The combination of alcohol, drugs, and guns is a dangerous mix that could lead to additional and even more lethal violence on campus. (Students Drinking Status and Likelihood of Carrying a Weapon on Campus”) If a student attending a university or college owns a concealed weapon, they may not be coherent with their actions and may accidentally shoot a person or people and harm or kill them.
If concealed weapons were legalized in the state of Illinois the college community would be at risk, as well as students who are suicidal and mentally depressed.
Suicidal behavior starts around the age of 16 and peaks when an individual is in their mid 20’s. (“School Violence: Reported School Shootings and Making Schools Safer”) The Harvard Study brought to the light and shows that if students have access to weapons it can increase the suicide chances. Unfortunately, 1/10 students have seriously thought about committing suicide and when looking at schools that allow concealed weapons on campus, that statistics increase to 3/10 students. ("Faggots, Fame and Firepower": Teenage Masculinity, School Shootings, and the Pursuit of Fame”) In one study of 645 college campuses, guns were used to assist in estimate, a third of suicides by male students. Universities are supposed to be institutions where parents feel comfortable to send their child, especially students who are out of state, not a community where parents have to worry if their child is safe or not. ("Faggots, Fame and Firepower": Teenage Masculinity, School Shootings, and the Pursuit of
Fame”)
Universities and colleges are supposed to be a place where students feel free to be themselves, find themselves, and learn new things, not have to worry about weapons, or being afraid because guns are surrounding them. The philosopher, John Stuart Mill believe in the greatest good for the greater number. It is important to protect the life of all individuals at a University rather than one person feeling threatened and wanting to carry a weapon. This one individual is trying to just protect themselves. Mill way of life is to protect the entire institution rather than one person because it is not about the pleasure of someone owning a gun but the pleasure of majority people feeling safe.
The goal of attending a University or college is to expand an individual’s education level, and insight in life. In order for students to engage in healthy, effective, learning environments in college, it is critical that students and faculty feel safe on campus. If concealed weapons are allowed on campuses and universities in the state of Illinois, students and faculty will become very distracted with the notion that there are weapons in various places around campus like the school’s student center, cafeteria, dorms, and classrooms. In result, the school’s community will feel uncomfortable about not knowing whether their professors or peers are carrying concealed weapons, which leads to an impact on student’s academic success, as well as professors abilities to teach. In fact, in 2013 the University of Maryland closed their university due to threats of a school shooter. This not only caused stressed on parents and teachers but students who were stressing over finals. (“Maryland College Closes Over Possible Threat of Gun Violence”)
In college students and teachers have the right and must be able to express themselves freely in debatable content. Students should be allowed to exercise their right of free speech, without being scared that one of their peers are going to shoot, or act with their concealed weapon. Whether it’s a debate, a conversation about a grade, or an exchange of a simple discussion, all these aspects are critical to the college education and experience. The act of handguns on campuses would cause fear and retaliation. In a survey conducted by the Tennessee University, a professor of the name of Michael Knicks asked his philosophy class if they would feel open to learn and share their ideas in class if the act of concealed weapons being legal was passed. 97% of his students stated that they would not participate in class due the fact that they may state the “wrong” answer or say the “wrong” thing. (Assessing views about gun violence reduction policy: A look at type of violence and expected effectiveness”)
Education is one the virtuous things in life, and without an individual lacks the true element of life. Philosopher Sir Thomas Aquinas believes in the natural law that good actions that follow the natural law education and free expression. With students not being able to receive their full education because they are scared to learn because of weapons, goes against the natural law of life. This action is not moral because good does not come from it. People are not free to be who they really are and explore all the dimensions of expressing themselves as individuals.
Those who believe that carrying concealed weapons should be allowed, have established two arguments. The first argument is that more firearms on campus could prevent massive shootings. The second argument is that concealed weapons can and weill prevent sexual assaults. These two arguments are extremely flawed and also ignore the risks that comes with allowing students, and faculty to carry guns on school grounds. The first argument that carrying concealed weapons on campus and universities will keep individuals safe by preventing mass shootings is not accurate.
Speaking from personal experience, the fact that the university I attend (DePaul University) bands and prohibits any concealed weapon makes sure that all students are safe. As of yesterday, I and others were threatened by a student at DePaul. This student threatened myself and several individuals by stating that that he was going to kill us. I decided to record the individual for my safety and the entire University’s safety. He quoted, “I will get away with it. It’s easy, it’s just murder. I will get revenge on those who did me wrong.” This individual has had passed violent acts such as attempting to burn down his home. This individual also described what weapon he was going to use, and where he would get the weapon from. He quoted, “Since I can’t carry guns and stuff on campus, it’s kind of hard to find where I will be getting the sniper from. Actually, it’s going to be hard to kill everyone….” This statement said by this individual shows how the effectiveness of not allowing students and faculty to carry concealed weapons, and because of this, it makes the individual reconsider his actions. If the law passed for students and faculty to carry concealed weapons, this individual will be able to easily access a weapon and act on his violent thoughts. The second argument that campus carry could be an effective way to stop and decrease sexual assault has been brought up by Marion Hammer, a former president of the NRA. She stated that banning guns on campus provides, “a sanctuary where criminals can rape and commit mass murder without fear of resistance.” Data, shows differently due to a recent study. A study conducted by David Heneway of Harvard analyzed data from the National Crime Victimization Survey. (“School violence; United States; Firearms”) The results found that women who are in contact of a sexual assaulter do not rely on concealed weapons to stop or flea their attacker. There were more than 300 cases of sexual assault in the data from 2007-2011, and no one used a concealed weapon in that study. A similar study analyzes data from 1992-2001 and this data showed only one case of defensive gun use out of over 1,000 reported sexual assaults in the survey. Legalizing concealed weapons in the state of Illinois will do more harm than good. The statistics proves that weapons should not be legalized within campuses and universities. Students, teachers, and the institution as a whole has the right to feel safe. If concealed weapons were allowed crime will increase, and the risks of individuals being harmed will increase. Students come to college and universities to better themselves. They do not come to worry about if someone is carrying a gun or weapon. When an entire community feels safe, then the atmosphere is more positive and friendly. If no one has a weapon on campus, then individuals will not be scared of anyone because everyone is equal regarding weapon use. Keeping the status quo of concealed weapons being illegal on universities and campuses in the state of Illinois is extremely important and the status quo must not be changed.
knowing possession or carrying of any firearm on an individual in any community college, college or university. There is the argument that concealed weapons should be allowed by individuals on campuses and universities. Individuals who argue this believe that it will allow the community of the specific college or university to feel safe but data, articles, and previous experience proves that this is not the case. The state of Illinois should not allow permit students, faculty, and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus. If concealed weapons are allowed on campus it can lead to even more violence. These concealed weapons will distract not only students from learning, but teachers because they may feel uncomfortable with weapons in their teaching spaces.
Weapons are used for two reasons, to protect, and to enforce pain, but when looking at the ending result, weapons are used to kill. If concealed weapons are allowed on campuses and universities in the state of Illinois, violence and crime will increase. These crimes include robbery, rape, shootings, massacres, suicide and several other violent incidents and actions. If concealed weapons are to be legal on campus, they will be highly accessible for those who want to hurt people to do so. When owning a weapon, that person feels like they are powerful than anyone. A study was done at Harvard University that involved over 10,000 undergraduate, at over 100 universities across the United States. These students were sent a mailed questionnaire that asked about gun possession and any threats that they witnessed, or experienced. Approximately, 4,3% of the subjects stated that they had a working firearm at the university they were attending, and 1.6% of them have been threatened with a gun during their college experience. (“Assessing views about gun violence reduction policy: A look at type of violence and expected effectiveness”) The study indicates that since there are a lot of parties in college, binge drinking, and drugs, most students (especially on weekends) are not fully aware of their actions or actions of others. A 2007 study by National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that nearly half of America’s 5.4 million full-time college student abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month. This study also found that alcohol is involved in 95% of the violent crime on campus. The combination of alcohol, drugs, and guns is a dangerous mix that could lead to additional and even more lethal violence on campus. (Students Drinking Status and Likelihood of Carrying a Weapon on Campus”) If a student attending a university or college owns a concealed weapon, they may not be coherent with their actions and may accidentally shoot a person or people and harm or kill them.
If concealed weapons were legalized in the state of Illinois the college community would be at risk, as well as students who are suicidal and mentally depressed.
Suicidal behavior starts around the age of 16 and peaks when an individual is in their mid 20’s. (“School Violence: Reported School Shootings and Making Schools Safer”) The Harvard Study brought to the light and shows that if students have access to weapons it can increase the suicide chances. Unfortunately, 1/10 students have seriously thought about committing suicide and when looking at schools that allow concealed weapons on campus, that statistics increase to 3/10 students. ("Faggots, Fame and Firepower": Teenage Masculinity, School Shootings, and the Pursuit of Fame”) In one study of 645 college campuses, guns were used to assist in estimate, a third of suicides by male students. Universities are supposed to be institutions where parents feel comfortable to send their child, especially students who are out of state, not a community where parents have to worry if their child is safe or not. ("Faggots, Fame and Firepower": Teenage Masculinity, School Shootings, and the Pursuit of
Fame”)
Universities and colleges are supposed to be a place where students feel free to be themselves, find themselves, and learn new things, not have to worry about weapons, or being afraid because guns are surrounding them. The philosopher, John Stuart Mill believe in the greatest good for the greater number. It is important to protect the life of all individuals at a University rather than one person feeling threatened and wanting to carry a weapon. This one individual is trying to just protect themselves. Mill way of life is to protect the entire institution rather than one person because it is not about the pleasure of someone owning a gun but the pleasure of majority people feeling safe.
The goal of attending a University or college is to expand an individual’s education level, and insight in life. In order for students to engage in healthy, effective, learning environments in college, it is critical that students and faculty feel safe on campus. If concealed weapons are allowed on campuses and universities in the state of Illinois, students and faculty will become very distracted with the notion that there are weapons in various places around campus like the school’s student center, cafeteria, dorms, and classrooms. In result, the school’s community will feel uncomfortable about not knowing whether their professors or peers are carrying concealed weapons, which leads to an impact on student’s academic success, as well as professors abilities to teach. In fact, in 2013 the University of Maryland closed their university due to threats of a school shooter. This not only caused stressed on parents and teachers but students who were stressing over finals. (“Maryland College Closes Over Possible Threat of Gun Violence”)
In college students and teachers have the right and must be able to express themselves freely in debatable content. Students should be allowed to exercise their right of free speech, without being scared that one of their peers are going to shoot, or act with their concealed weapon. Whether it’s a debate, a conversation about a grade, or an exchange of a simple discussion, all these aspects are critical to the college education and experience. The act of handguns on campuses would cause fear and retaliation. In a survey conducted by the Tennessee University, a professor of the name of Michael Knicks asked his philosophy class if they would feel open to learn and share their ideas in class if the act of concealed weapons being legal was passed. 97% of his students stated that they would not participate in class due the fact that they may state the “wrong” answer or say the “wrong” thing. (Assessing views about gun violence reduction policy: A look at type of violence and expected effectiveness”)
Education is one the virtuous things in life, and without an individual lacks the true element of life. Philosopher Sir Thomas Aquinas believes in the natural law that good actions that follow the natural law education and free expression. With students not being able to receive their full education because they are scared to learn because of weapons, goes against the natural law of life. This action is not moral because good does not come from it. People are not free to be who they really are and explore all the dimensions of expressing themselves as individuals.
Those who believe that carrying concealed weapons should be allowed, have established two arguments. The first argument is that more firearms on campus could prevent massive shootings. The second argument is that concealed weapons can and weill prevent sexual assaults. These two arguments are extremely flawed and also ignore the risks that comes with allowing students, and faculty to carry guns on school grounds. The first argument that carrying concealed weapons on campus and universities will keep individuals safe by preventing mass shootings is not accurate.
Speaking from personal experience, the fact that the university I attend (DePaul University) bands and prohibits any concealed weapon makes sure that all students are safe. As of yesterday, I and others were threatened by a student at DePaul. This student threatened myself and several individuals by stating that that he was going to kill us. I decided to record the individual for my safety and the entire University’s safety. He quoted, “I will get away with it. It’s easy, it’s just murder. I will get revenge on those who did me wrong.” This individual has had passed violent acts such as attempting to burn down his home. This individual also described what weapon he was going to use, and where he would get the weapon from. He quoted, “Since I can’t carry guns and stuff on campus, it’s kind of hard to find where I will be getting the sniper from. Actually, it’s going to be hard to kill everyone….” This statement said by this individual shows how the effectiveness of not allowing students and faculty to carry concealed weapons, and because of this, it makes the individual reconsider his actions. If the law passed for students and faculty to carry concealed weapons, this individual will be able to easily access a weapon and act on his violent thoughts. The second argument that campus carry could be an effective way to stop and decrease sexual assault has been brought up by Marion Hammer, a former president of the NRA. She stated that banning guns on campus provides, “a sanctuary where criminals can rape and commit mass murder without fear of resistance.” Data, shows differently due to a recent study. A study conducted by David Heneway of Harvard analyzed data from the National Crime Victimization Survey. (“School violence; United States; Firearms”) The results found that women who are in contact of a sexual assaulter do not rely on concealed weapons to stop or flea their attacker. There were more than 300 cases of sexual assault in the data from 2007-2011, and no one used a concealed weapon in that study. A similar study analyzes data from 1992-2001 and this data showed only one case of defensive gun use out of over 1,000 reported sexual assaults in the survey. Legalizing concealed weapons in the state of Illinois will do more harm than good. The statistics proves that weapons should not be legalized within campuses and universities. Students, teachers, and the institution as a whole has the right to feel safe. If concealed weapons were allowed crime will increase, and the risks of individuals being harmed will increase. Students come to college and universities to better themselves. They do not come to worry about if someone is carrying a gun or weapon. When an entire community feels safe, then the atmosphere is more positive and friendly. If no one has a weapon on campus, then individuals will not be scared of anyone because everyone is equal regarding weapon use. Keeping the status quo of concealed weapons being illegal on universities and campuses in the state of Illinois is extremely important and the status quo must not be changed.