GUNS: For students to defend themselves

I have heard a lot of different opinions about students possessing firearms on college campuses. Some are concerned about more shootings on school grounds, but it seems that every time a maniacal killer attacks somewhere, it is a “gun free zone.” How should we look at this? Well, what if several responsible students had firearms of their own to defend themselves? During a shooting, there are students in the event who would never consider leading an armed assault on their fellow students. What if these people had firearms for self-defense? There are responsible students out there who, if given the choice to be armed, could stop a shooting more quickly.

Still, most people do not want guns in the hands of anyone under 20. Why? There are responsible young adults on college campuses that can handle the responsibility of a gun. On top of that, there are young adults in the United States military that handle weapons all the time! But let us quickly go back to the college campuses. Recently, a student on campus was arrested for joking about having a gun. A student nearby overheard and turned him in. Obviously, the first student was not thinking responsibly, but the second student took it seriously enough to report him. That is the kind of student that should have a gun on campus — someone level-headed and responsible who understands how guns should be used.

If there are still irresponsible students on campus, a college could offer a handgun safety course. Why not? They could directly teach students gun operation and safety. There is no problem with students using guns as long as they are being responsible and taking their actions seriously. A college could actually decrease the number of maniacal shootings by offering to train students in safe gun handling. This would actually decrease the number of school shootings because few criminals want to invade a campus where well-trained students have guns at their sides.

If none of these arguments are convincing enough, then look to the Second Amendment of the Constitution: “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The Second Amendment guarantees that the people’s right to keep and bear arms cannot be invaded.

Regardless of the argument, college students in the United States have the right to keep and bear arms. The Constitution has ruled our land for 200 years and historically, this Amendment has actually helped our nation more than harming it. The Founding Fathers weren’t ignorant — in fact, their insight has proven valuable over and over again.

All this is to say that students should not be prohibited from carrying guns on college campuses. I wholeheartedly believe that if colleges and universities lightened up on gun restrictions, we would see less devastating shootings.

CHRIS MAJOR

Coeur d’Alene