Brian "Tote 'em Guns to Class" Birdwell Files
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Birdwell's Bill panders to the NRA and moves in a drastically different direction than the policies adopted by most institutions of Higher Learning following high profile shootings on campuses.
Senator Birdwell, whose district includes Navarro Count, cited support by the NRA in his press release pictured at right; He did not mention ant of the many groups which strongly oppose more firearms on campuses. Students for a Gun Free Schools point out: "Frequently lost in the national debate that ensued was the fact that our nation’s colleges and universities are some of the safest places in our country in large part because their campuses, in almost all cases, have remained gun-free." Sen. Birdwell and other sponsors of the Campus Carry Bill which recently was passed by the Texas House, argue their bill can help prevent incidents like the knifing on Lone Star Campus. Others disagree. Armed Campus reports: |
he Houston Chronicle recently published comments from students at Forum on Permitting Guns on Campus held at Lone Star College.
In 2013 14 people were wounded by an individual with an Xacto Knife. Some who were directly impacted by violence on campus argue against guns on campus. One individual who received multiple gunshots wounds during the Virginia Tech shooting has testified to numerous state legislatures against permitting guns on campus. Colin Goodard said:te “That was the craziest day of my life with one person walking around with two guns. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like with multiple students and multiple guns." A recent survey of students at Lone Star College indicated that more than 50% opposed permitting guns on campus, 30% support having guns on campus and the rest are unsure |
The overwhelming majority of the 4,400 colleges and universities in the United States prohibit the carrying of firearms on their campuses. These gun-free policies have helped to make our post-secondary education institutions some of the safest places in the country. For example, a 2001 U.S. Department of Education study found that the overall homicide rate at post-secondary education institutions was 0.07 per 100,000 students in 1999.1 By comparison, the criminal homicide rate in the United States as a whole was 5.7 per 100,000 persons overall in 1999, and 14.1 per 100,000 for persons ages 17 to 29. A Department of Justice study found that 93% of violent crimes that victimize college students occur off campus.2
Despite the success of these gun-free policies, an increasingly extreme pro-gun movement in the USA is promoting legislation and litigation to force colleges and universities to allow concealed guns on campus. As a result, schools in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin have now been forced in different ways to allow the carrying of firearms on their premises (i.e. campus grounds, classrooms, dormitories, or parking lots).
Some of the Lone Star students quoted by the Houston Chronicle are: Jeffrey White, a 27 year old sophomore said if a mass shooting or similar incident were to occur, multiple people wielding guns could confuse law enforcement and endanger lives, a sentiment that was echoed by many other students." White points out "It seems to be a security complication in crisis situations."
Stephanie Kyser, a 24-year-old CyFair sophomore said she wondered whether many students were stable enough to carry guns. She also questioned the rigor of the licensing process.
"I think some people that are licensed to have guns shouldn't have them," she said.
Stephanie Kyser, a 24-year-old CyFair sophomore said she wondered whether many students were stable enough to carry guns. She also questioned the rigor of the licensing process.
"I think some people that are licensed to have guns shouldn't have them," she said.
U.S. Congressional Candidate David E. Cozad, a former H S Math teacher and Marine Corp Arterilly Officer object to the Campus Carry bill. Cozad says: "It is not fair to teachers. Having taught, I know that there are enough distractions already in the classroom. It is unfair to add the responsibility of having to anticipate and prevent the actions of multiple people who may or may not be carrying concealed handguns."
His Chief of Staff Faith Chatham vehemently opposes guns on campus. she said: " For three semesters at UTA I was seated in front of the man who shot and killed several people in the Tarrant County Court House. Several of us noted something odd about him. Until he went on a murder spree, it was merely an uncomfortable "feeling." I shudder to think what it would have been like had he been able to legally carry his handgun to class"
Chatham continued: "Another thing that concerns me which I have not heard mentioned. I did an internship in a MHMR Clinic in East Texas. I learned that the symptoms and diagnosis of bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia frequently emerges in the 17- 28 year age group. This is the population most frequently on college campuses. Many are also living away from home with people who would not recognize a deviation in their behavior. Mixing firearms with this age population is something which I think is very unwise."
If the bill is passed by the Texas Senate, Gov. Abbot is expected to sign in tnto law. He has stated that he will sign any bill which expands the rights of citizens to bear arms.
His Chief of Staff Faith Chatham vehemently opposes guns on campus. she said: " For three semesters at UTA I was seated in front of the man who shot and killed several people in the Tarrant County Court House. Several of us noted something odd about him. Until he went on a murder spree, it was merely an uncomfortable "feeling." I shudder to think what it would have been like had he been able to legally carry his handgun to class"
Chatham continued: "Another thing that concerns me which I have not heard mentioned. I did an internship in a MHMR Clinic in East Texas. I learned that the symptoms and diagnosis of bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia frequently emerges in the 17- 28 year age group. This is the population most frequently on college campuses. Many are also living away from home with people who would not recognize a deviation in their behavior. Mixing firearms with this age population is something which I think is very unwise."
If the bill is passed by the Texas Senate, Gov. Abbot is expected to sign in tnto law. He has stated that he will sign any bill which expands the rights of citizens to bear arms.