The 9mm Solution

This week a year ago a mentally disturbed student shot up the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. The nation was shocked and as we've started to try to sort it all out, the event's effects have rippled out in a lot of different directions. Campus security, predictably, has been revamped and upgraded at many colleges across the country. But interestingly, a growing number of students want the ability to carry concealed firearms on campus. They don't feel like campus security alone should be responsible for their protection. Already, on some campuses, students are packing heat.

For the past few weeks, we at Current's Collective Journalism unit have been asking students about what's happening on their campuses and how they feel about these changes. We've received a flood of webcam and video responses. Many students feel concealed firearms aren't the answer (more than one cited the collegiate predisposition to oft-drunkeness as a concern), but quite a number just don't feel safe, and feel like they have the constitutional right to protect themselves from violent attack whether they're in a classroom or not.

In at least a dozen states, legislatures are considering changes to their concealed carry laws...removing college campuses from the list of "Gun Free Zones." Or in other words, it's the 9mm solution: How do you prevent campus shootings? Shoot back.

Below is an excerpt of our show featuring a University of Utah student who carries his semi-automatic pistol to class every day (Utah has already changed their law).

I invite you to check out our special, "Armed on Campus," this Wednesday at 9pm EST/6pm PST on Current TV, or you can watch the pieces featured on our page at current.com/cj.

Comments

[1will]

That was actually a pretty good teaser clip for the upcoming show. I'm shocked. Usually all gun related columns on the Huffpost are built upon outright lies but this clip was actually very balanced.

[1will]

What is forgotten is many if not most students would not qualify for a Concealed Carry Permit. Many would be under 21 years old and not eligible. Others would be out of state residents and would also not be eligible. Then there is the large number of students that would not be interested in guns or carrying. It is likely only a small percentage of college students would ever get a concealed carry permit or carry on campus. Of course one or two armed students (or staff) in the right place could make a difference if another shooting takes place. We've seen what happened at Va Tech and NIU when only a madman is armed.
As for those 21 year old adult students that qualify for CCW permits, they are adults and should be treated as such. If they cannot resist alcohol and guns then there is a place for them. It's called jail. Welcome to the real world in which the rest of us adults and CCW holders avoid mixing alcohol and firearms. I doubt it will be much of a problem on campus. We heard similiar cries from anti gunners when concealed carry permits (CCW) started being issued in large numbers. They cried, " They'll be shootouts at every fender bender and the streets will run red with blood." This was proven false and an overreaction.

[SamThornton]

Back in olden times we referred to this is the "Archie Bunker solution" from the Norman Lear TV sitcom, "All In The Family." It was Archie's solution to airline hijacking -- "Give every passenger a gun when he climbs on board. Problem solved, case closed." Back then it was a joke; now it's becoming state policy? The lunatics really are in charge. How about a new sign at the entrance to all college campuses benefiting from carry laws: "Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here."

[1will]

You make a good point. Let's disarm everyone but the criminals and killers. Society will be much safer.

You make the typical anti gunner point about everyone being armed. That is not going to happen. Many are underage, not eligible or uninterested. Alot of people don't care about guns or don't want the responsibility. The odds of "everyone" carrying is pretty low.
I'll use VA as an example since the VA Tech shooting is on everyone's mind. The state has about 7.5 million residents and approx. 150,000 Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) holders. This is around 2% of the population. How many of that 2% are likely to be carrying at any given time?
2%
That's a far cry from "Everyone." Of course it could be enough to make a difference the next time another Cho wannabee attempts to shoot up a campus, mall or store.

[Chuckbutcher]

Um, mommadona
I am truly sorry about the state of your love life if you mistake a firearm with a penis. I own lots of them and I never make such an error.

[stlswest]

It's amazing how scared Americans are, have always been, and seemingly always will be. Only a hugely scared person would want to carry around a firearm.

[NC4Obama]

As a college student and someone who has parents who are both teachers i vote NO GUNS ON COLLEGE CAMPUS'S. Are they INSANE!!!

[poppaculture]

nothing short of tactical nuclear weapons will suffice (scofflaws run, but they cannot get away)

[jvarga]

I was a student at VT from September 2001-December 2006. The prospect of 20,000+ young adults potentially having hand guns on them coupled with the fact that at any given time (not just friday/saturday night) a significant percentage have been consuming vast quantities of beer seems like a bad idea.

To be honest, the day a student threatened me in class (he was unable to show up for the 5 minutes required during an 8 hour window of time for a lab) did not particularly concern me. If I knew any student might at any time have a gun, meaning it is available if he or she snaps? Yeah not so much a fan of that. At least this way you know if a student shows up with a gun it is a problem.

[MerlinJames]

I respect your viewpoint, unfortunately it is not based on the facts. Permit holders cannot have a blood alcohol level over .02 while carrying. In most people that is a class of wine. Carrying while drinking anything, you WILL lose your permit and pay a hefty fine and possible jail time if inspected by LE.

In most states, you must present your permit along with your drivers license if approached by LE. Even if you don't, you are flagged as a permit holder when they check your license.

During required training, you are saturated with the fact that once a round leaves your gun in self defense, your life will never be the same. Reality is an over zealous prosecuting attorney may make an example of your incident for career advancement or they don't like people having guns. Defending yourself will likely bankrupt you and you may lose your family and assets. It is a tremendous responsibility that few people undertake once they know the facts of concealed carry.

States keep copious records of permit holders. Check any of the 40+ states web sites that issue permits to inspect their records. It will demonstrate that permit holders are more law abiding than the general population by far.

Plus, how do you know who is carrying an illegal weapon? I'm always mystified by people that proclaim they are uncomfortable around people that are carrying legally. How do you know who is packing heat illegally?

I guess ignorance is bliss.

[jvarga]

I guess I didn't make my point clear. I know (or assumed) that legally someone with a concealed carry permit can't be walking around drunk. Someone can't legally shoot another person either, but people still get shot. My concern is when the two things do happen that my safety is potentially at risk. And in an environment consisting of 20,000+ college kids for whom drinking is a major activity, there is potential for that to happen.

As to how do I know who is carrying an illegal weapon? Right now on the VT campus it is very easy to know who is carrying a gun illegally. That would be: anyone with a gun. Hence my stating "At least this way you know if a student shows up with a gun it is a problem.". Once you start letting people walk around with guns you lose that ability.

[desmirl]

An armed society is a polite society.

[MajorKong]

Then Iraq must be the most polite society on the planet. With Somalia running a close second.

[NC4Obama]

That makes zero sense

[TexasDem0]

Yes, a bunch of undisciplined, untrained students, firing guns in a panic will make it safe for everyone. No one ever gets hit by a stray bullet in La La Land.

[1will]

A bunch of unarmed defenseless students lined up for their headshots is alot safer, well for the shooter at least. It worked out at Kirkwood, Va Tech and NIU.

[mommadona]

An armed society is a male-dominated society.

They can't keep it together any other way.

It's a PENIS, ok? Yeah, we get it...it's one DANGEROUS PENIS....geesh.

[1will]

That makes no sense. Do you believe men need firearms to keep society dominated by other men? Why? As women have about 1/2 of the upper body strength of men it's doubtful that a male dominated society needs firearms to keep women in check. Do you think these male dominated 3rd world countries shoot every woman that gets out of line? No. They beat them into submission.
On the other hand a gun is a great equalizer if you are a 120 lb woman being beaten, stalked or abused by some 250 lb man with twice your strength.
A gun is not a penis. If you're confused by the two you might want to go back over your old High School Health textbook.

[bmora]

Iraq and Afganistan must be the most polite places on earth. I am making travel arrangements as I type.