Election may revive guns on campus debate
Max Pullenza
Some believe having guns on campus will make shootings like the one at South Mountain Community College earlier this summer a regular occurrence, while other students believe that having guns on campus
might decrease possible shootings.”There would be more fatalities on campus; it would endanger us more than we already are,” said MCC student Desiree Cuellar.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea because people are crazy, and they don’t think before they act.”
Utah is the only state that currently allows concealed weapons on campus. Much like Arizona, Idaho is in the process of trying to have a similar bill passed in legislation.
Some students feel that all it takes is an argument between people on campus, and someone will be killed.
“There will always be wackos out there that will carry a weapon regardless of where they are,” said Kenny Won, an ASU student and CCW permit holder.
Won believes that relying on policemen to handle every emergency isn’t necessarily the answer.
“We need first responders (citizens that carry); the police aren’t there to subdue a
criminal but to come and ‘clean up’ the destruction,” said Won.
He also feels that those who have the privilege of carrying guns should be responsible with their weapon.
“Weapon safety classes should be mandatory, just like an English class is mandatory to have a degree,” said Won.
To be eligible to buy a gun legally, a person must pass a background check that is conducted by the FBI.
The buyer can’t have any felonies or certain misdemeanors.
The misdemeanors include any type of domestic violence, no matter how long ago it happened and even if charges may have been dismissed.
The buyer must also fill out a weapon application that has questions such as, “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?”
A new question that was added to the application due to the Virginia Tech shooting is “Do you or have you had any type of mental illness?”
Opponents to carrying a concealed weapon on campus argue that it’s possible for people to lie on the application.
They also say that the background check and application can’t prevent people from buying guns through private sale.
The controversy of weapons on campus will continue even if Arizona passes a law that makes it legal.
State Sen. Karen Johnson brought a bill to the Senate, but it died in May, because many believed that no one wanted to touch such a controversial issue during an election year.
A similar bill could be brought back to the Senate in January.
