This last week was referred to as "Second Amendment Week" and was brought to OSU campus courtesy of the College Republicans. Although I'm a Democrat and for the most part disagree with purpose of some of these events I still think they're an important step in bringing more publicity to our campus. I enjoy seeing college students take an active interest in our rights and making an effort to get their peers involved, regardless of political preference.

I'm not as anti-gun as other liberal-minded folks. I really doubt that. I support a person's right to own a firearm, but only for the purposes of hunting and home defense. Yes.  Because one should be able to defend themselves while home, but when you leave you’re fair game.  Makes perfect sense to me.   I do think there's an appropriate time and place for guns to be carried or used. However, a college campus is just not one of them. In your opinion.

First off, there's a certain amount of maturity involved in owning a gun. Seldom have I seen a college-aged gun owner who handled a gun safely or for its intended purpose.  Don’t know many Soldiers or Marines huh?  You should associate with a better class of people.  Gun Computer owners must provide a convincing argument as to why people should be able to carry a concealed weapon Write an editorial other than their right to do so under the Second First Amendment.

We're not exposed to imminent threats on campus; I seriously doubt any grizzly bears or cougars will be invading our campus any time soon, VT must have just slipped your mind. I don’t think you need to worry about four legged critters either.  It’s the two legged ones that worry me.  other than when their respective universities come to OSU for sporting events.  Go Beavs!
Conservative radio host Lars Larson mentioned that people carrying concealed weapons "makes students safer" It makes the ones who are able to defend themselves safer.  You’re on your own. during his live broadcast from the MU quad last Thursday. I couldn't disagree more. Having students armed is more of a safety risk than an appropriate means of protection. Right up ‘til one saves your hide from a shooter.  I refuse to be protected by fellow students who choose to arm themselves.  You won’t have a choice.  It’ll be interesting to see you through yourself at the mercy of a shooter instead of taking cover behind one of these people you think shouldn’t be armed.  Riiight. I believe only accidents and serious injuries would be the results if the administrative rules were changed.  That is your belief and you’re welcome to it, no matter how naïve it may be.
There's also a misconception that only law-abiding citizens purchase or own guns, and can receive concealed weapons permits. What?  Where have you been?   If this were true, we wouldn't see so many gun-related crimes appearing in the mainstream media. No kidding.  According to statistics gathered by the Associated Press, mass shootings caused 57 people their lives all over the country last month. And if there had been legally armed people around, that number may have been significantly less.
Fifty-seven people killed in one month is an astounding figure and clearly demonstrates why more guns aren't the solution to improving our public safety. How does that demonstrate that?  Were there legally armed people there to stop the shooters?  What is your point?   You can't predict who intends to be a law-abiding gun owner or who is going to use their gun for criminal activity. Exactly why I want to be armed.  You make my point very well.  Thanks.

Instead of seeking security with more guns, we should seek security in closer scrutiny of sales, better training and limits on weapons that are designed to kill people rapidly. By restricting people who are law abiding?  Guess what?  A lot of these people aren’t law abiding.  If they were, they wouldn’t be out shooting people.

The common argument on the part of gun owners is "guns don't kill people; people kill people." So having more people armed logically means more people getting killed. Is this what we really want? I don’t want to be one of the dead ones for lack of shooting back.  You can lay down and die if you want, but don’t get me killed because you’re not smart enough to arm yourself.  There is also the saying, “An armed society is a polite society”.

As a native of Corvallis, I can't imagine living in a city safer than this one, and life on campus is no different. I've never seen a fight or any act of violence occur while I have attended this university. Good for you.  Let’s hope your first one isn’t the one that kills you. If we ever witnessed a shooting on our campus, having other students or faculty armed would just create more panic, injuries, or worse more death. In your opinion. The police are armed to protect us, and we put our trust in them - not our fellow students and faculty - to do so.  Wow.  Does your mommy still wipe your fanny too?  What makes police officers lives worth more than mine?

Our Constitution and state laws allow us so much leeway, in terms of our personal freedom, and we are all fortunate to live in such a wonderful country where having rights is a luxury many other citizens around the world can only dream of.  Amen.

My main concern here is the safety of everyone at the university, and the people advocating for more guns are the real threat to our public safety. In your opinion.  I disagree.



Patrick Fancher is a junior in new media communication. The opinions expressed in his columns do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily Barometer staff. Fancher can be reached at [email protected].

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Wow!  That dude must live in a bubble that nothing can penatrate.


Jebus.

-Mark.

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Wow, that guy was a jackass. He is so worried about this perceived "threat", that he is willing to take away students fourth amendment rights by screening/searching them as they go to class. Sometimes people really amaze me.

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The point that I guess I don't understand is that if "age" or just college students cannot "handle" firearms safely, how is possible that the new LEOs can?? Is this because of their awesome training? If this is the case, can a college guy get the same 40hr training and carry on campus?? If not, why bring up the matter of age?? I really don't like these guys..

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Exactly the point i made in the comments part, The training new LEO's receive isnt that much like you said 40hrs of range time. Ive spent more hours at the range than I can count.
Just gets more and more frustrating listening to the blabbering liberal tards