Ms. Harris,
I would like to respectfully address the your recent writings in the campus newsletter, "Hide and Seek Heat". While I appreciate the research done on conceal carry laws, and am relieved that you acknowledge the screenings and training required to obtain a license, there are a few points that might give you a different perspective on the topic.
As you know, our constitution is one of positive rights, rights to DO as opposed to negative protections that are common in other countries. Of course, each positive is somewhat balanced by a negative. The right to freedom of speech is balanced by the peoples' right to safety when it comes to shouting "Fire" in a crowded movie theater. Likewise, as an editor, you could not ethically allow a newspaper containing results of HIV tests, voyeuristic pictures of students changing in their rooms taken without their permission, or the answers to the upcoming final exams. Your freedom of press and speech is limited by others' rights to privacy.
Following the same logic, the right to bear arms is also limited in a number of ways. The states have the right to dictate many aspects of firearm ownership, usage, and possession. Likewise, there are numerous federal controls on the same. However, the right to live in a gun-free society is not only ascent in the constitution, but the founding fathers explicitly, on numerous occasions, felt that to be worst possible situation. They trusted the citizens of our great country to elect their own officials, and to possess firearms for their own protection. It is very unfortunate that in some cases, the citizens have used the rights endowed to them for evil instead of good.
Your article brings up quite a few examples of "What Ifs" that could lead to issues with carrying on campus. How many times in campus history has a lover's quarrel resulted in a fatal stabbing with a kitchen knife, or one of the involved throwing the other off a balcony, or choking, or beating with a hammer or bat? How many have been killed in any of those ways over a sports rivalry? How many deadly explosions or murders have been committed to "get out of finals week?"
Have you ever had a substantially large amount of money on you? Or a prized family heirloom? If so, you certainly paid more attention to your surroundings, avoided trouble, and made sure you didn't leave it in the bathroom or allow your bag to get stolen. I once had $4000 on me for a vehicle purchase, and I can assure you, I knew right where it was at all times. This responsibility is multiplied when the object is a firearm. Beyond the legal penalties, the ethical responsibility of knowing for the rest of your life that your negligence led to another's injury or death is very evident within the gun community, and it is almost palpable among most gun owners.
I am licensed as a motor vehicle driver, aircraft pilot, Emergency Medical Technician, and concealed carry permit holder. Each of these comes with specific responsibilities with very real penalties for ignoring those responsibilities. As a motor vehicle driver, my car has never plowed through a kindergarten classroom. As an aircraft pilot, I perform a preflight inspection and keep up to date on all the information and education, and my aircraft had never crashed into an office building or burst into flames. As an EMT, I stay proficient in skills and treat each patient as I would want my loved ones to be treated, and by doing so I know that I've done all I could for each patient I've been called upon to help. None have gotten HIV or cancer as a result of calling me for another problem.
Similarly, as a concealled carry permit holder and gun owner, I follow the same basic rules as any other gun owner that 100% guarantees that there will be no "accidental" or negligent firings. Treat all guns as loaded. Don't point the gun at anything you don't wish to destroy. Keep your finger off the trigger until you want to fire. In order for anyone to get shot, there must be someone standing on the other side of the gun who wishes to murder them, or at minimum doesn't care if they die.
Most importantly, however, is the practical aspect of the situation. For better or worse, we live in a country with guns. We can write a thousand laws to ban them, but why would that succeed when the bans on alcohol during the Prohibition Era, and present day bans on drugs, are unsuccessful. Unfortunately, there is very little that an individual can do to protect himselves from the repercussions of illegal drug use. Thankfully, while criminals can gain access to illegal (banned for them) firearms, we, as law abiding citizens, have the right to protect ourselves against them. Think of the tragedies that could have been averted in Virginia Tech, Columbine, and countless others if there was a single person who was carrying while an individual with no concern for laws or human life murdered many.
If you would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me, or at least research both sides of the contraversial topic. As an editor-in-chief, I'm sure you understand the importance of reading both sides of the issue, and there is overwhelming evidence in support of gun rights based on statistical evidence from the FBI, as opposed to "feelings" and "What Ifs."
Thank you for your time.