I have never felt threatened while at OSU. Whether it is the stale glow of the blue lights from the emergency posts littered around the campus or just my naivete, I feel safe here.
That was until my intramural basketball game on Monday night. That night a certain alpha male decided that if he was not going to win on the court, he would extend the competition to a more physical arena. Aside from reaffirming my belief in evolution, this throwback giant ended up not doing anything other than threaten my team.
He spewed threats throughout the game unabated by the referees and continued after the game bellowing “I hope I see you in the streets.”
Although it is unclear if he understands he lives in Stillwater and not the movie “Boys in the Hood,” it is clear, however, that I do not want to find out.
Previously I believed I was in a social contract which allowed nerdy kids to make sarcastic remarks to anyone without fear of being punched.
This arrangement was great. I could avoid the hassle of working out and still be able to make fun of anyone I wanted.
So when I replied to my tormentor’s request that I read a rulebook with a quip about how he should read any book, I was not expecting to have to cash the check that my mouth wrote.
Later that night, my e-mail inbox greeted me with a chance to even the playing field between me and the oversized madman who could have pummeled me.
SGA is conducting a poll to determine whether students want to allow legal concealed weapons on campus. SGA has vowed to follow the will of the students. This was more of a referendum than a simple poll. Kurt 1, Miscreant 0.
Like many people will do, I voted with my emotion.
But to avoid emotional voting, we need to step back and think about what exactly this proposal would mean.
First, assuming no well-regulated militias are taking up arms on campus, we can ignore appeals to the Second Amendment.
From here the argument boils down to safety.
Supporters of the legislation that would allow licensed handguns on campus will convincingly argue that police response times, although good, are still often too slow to stop school shootings. Hence, concealed carriers offer 24-7 protection.
Opponents argue that licensed carriers would hurt more than help. Although trained, it is not clear that concealed carriers would act calmly and rationally in the face of an actual emergency.
Aside from the unlikely event of a school shooting, concealed carry supporters argue that taking guns out of the hands of citizens who are law-abiders is misguided. Concealed carriers in Oklahoma register with the OSBI and submit to fingerprinting and background checks.
They have a point. Maybe it would be more pertinent to focus our government’s attention on the flow of illegally obtained guns which actually do correlate to violent crime. Will taking guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens make us safer? Doubtful.
On the other hand, our campus is a safe place. The need for a gun to protect oneself on campus seems negligible. If licensed hand guns pose any threat then the harm probably outweigh the benefits.
In the end, the magnitude of this decision is very small. Hopefully, the decision will not matter either way. As with a lot of decisions, we might just have to go with how we feel.
So thanks to a large and angry member of our student body whom I hope does not/cannot read this, my decision has been made. Please do not punch me.
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>Opponents argue that licensed carriers would hurt more than help. Although trained, it is not clear that concealed carriers would act calmly and rationally in the face of an actual emergency.
What’s the alternative? For a group of unarmed students to act calmly and rationally in the face of an armed criminal?…or panice and sprint for the exits?
>They have a point. Maybe it would be more pertinent to focus our government’s attention on the flow of illegally obtained guns which actually do correlate to violent crime. Will taking guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens make us safer? Doubtful.
That’s the first rational thing I’ve read, bravo!
>On the other hand, our campus is a safe place. The need for a gun to protect oneself on campus seems negligible. If licensed hand guns pose any threat then the harm probably outweigh the benefits.
Well, it’s true that you’ll never need it…until you do. Remember that a crashing airplane is still flying, until the moment it hits the ground. “If” is the key word — “If” they pose a threat. However, I have yet to see any evidence that they do, and in fact, much evidence has been cited in the comments to every article regarding HB 2513 to show that, in fact, they do not pose a threat. Where is the evidence for the opposition?
>In the end, the magnitude of this decision is very small.
True. It’s just one more brick in the wall… and soon, we wonder how the wall got so high.
>As with a lot of decisions, we might just have to go with how we feel.
Yes, acting on pure emotion rather than rationale or logic has a great track record.
In all honesty, I don’t think this situation really qualifies to be discussed in relation to the necessity of concealed weapons. It’s really pretty minor. If someone threatens your health, alert the authorities. Simple. If you can’t do that, try to diffuse the situation. If you can’t do that, run. If the you can’t do that, and you feel your life is in danger, and the continuum of force justifies the use of a concealed weapon, then the decision must be made. Lethal force is, and should always be, a last resort, used only to protect the life of an innocent against one who would take that life. Any police officer will tell you that.
I agree wholeheartedly with Eric. The 11 campuses nationwide that allow concealed carry have 60+ semesters experience with NO shootings, NO arrests, and NO incidents. Taking away their right to defend themselves is justified… how?
Mr. Amend,
I’m curious if you’ve realized the reality of being in Oklahoma?
Since 1997, Oklahoma residents who get concealed carry permits have been able to legally carry concealed guns practically everywhere in public except college campuses.
That means, for the last 11 years, every single time you’ve gone to a fast food joint, to a grocery store, to a hardware store, or just walked down a public street in Oklahoma, you’ve been surrounded by Oklahoma residents legally carrying concealed guns.
Have the 11 years of concealed carry everywhere else in Oklahoma caused bad things to happen?
Not even the Tulsa World thinks so.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070701_238_A1_hTeny75637
“On the other hand, our campus is a safe place. The need for a gun to protect oneself on campus seems negligible. If licensed hand guns pose any threat then the harm probably outweigh the benefits.”
Just remember that Virginia Tech was a safe place too, until, all of a sudden it wasn’t.
I’m sure that the thought has occured to some, “but what if the big beligerent guy had a gun?” Perhaps he did, but I can almost guarantee that he did not have a carry permit. First time he threw his weight around and came to the attention of the law that permit would have been pulled for review and most likely revoked. Folks that take the trouble to get concealed weapons permits are the same sort that buy fire extinguishers, take out insurance policies, and wear their seatbelts. After all, why reject an opportunity to be safer, even if the risk is small.
Hi, Kurt. You were LUCKY that day! Now, as a Jewess in the US, may I remind you that criminals are stopped by FIREARMS, not by talk? And that America wasn’t won with a registered gun? That is why all REAL Americans put our 2nd Amendment FIRST!!