Second amendment makes its way to college campuses
Ryan McCullough
Students and teachers toting guns around campus could be a reality in the not too distant future.SB 1467 would allow guns to be carried on public right-of-ways, such as campus sidewalks. The bill originally allowed guns to be brought into the classrooms. That provision has been cut.
“Every legislative session there are bills introduced to weaken Arizona gun laws . It is time that the public stands up and says no more, that we want Arizona’s approach to be rational. That we want to be able to make sure our facilities are safe and allowing weapons in many of these facilities is not what the people of Arizona want,” said State Senator Steve Galllardo at a protest against the bill on March 29 at the state Capitol.
Zachary Smith, the regent’s professor of politics and international affairs at Northern Arizona University, came down from Flagstaff to voice his opinion.
“It’s just that in an environment like a college campus where things can be hot and where there can be disagreements and there can be debates, it’s just not the place where people might know there would be concealed firearms,” he said.
Even graduate students from University of Arizona representing Students Against Guns in Education (SAGE) attended. Emily Connally was one of those students.
“I’m here as an Arizona resident. I’m here as a wife, and most importantly I am here as a lifelong gun owner,” she said.
Proponents of the bill say that with more guns on campus, a potential Virgina Tech massacre or Columbine could happen. Though, Connally has concerns.
“I’m worried about unintentional harm and accidental shootings . Guns are four times more likely to be used in an unintentional shooting than to be used to injure or kill in self-defense and only 1 percent of the time will a victim use a gun to protect themselves,” she said.
Rep. Steve Farley also opposes the bill.
“I respect and believe in the Second Amendment to our Constitution. I also believe in common sense,” he said. “Right now Republics of the Legislature are not making a balanced common sense approach and it’s time that we hold them accountable.”
Gov. Jan Brewer has until monday to sign the bill.
