Facebook Campus Carry Initiative (or really an idea for anywhere CC is prohibited)

[jefnvk]

So my friend invited me to a Facebook event that is trying to gain some support. I thought the idea was kinda neat, so I figured I'd share and see what opinions you all had.

For those of you that have facebook:

http://mtu.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2359003596.

For the rest, here is the description:

Students who are already concealed carry license holders in many states are forced to disarm when coming to school, even though we are allowed to go nearly anywhere else in the state while armed. We want to extend our ability to protect ourselves and those around us onto campus, where we spend a majority of our time.

Wear an empty holster to class all week to demonstrate that you are just one more trained individual that is forced to disarm, showing that there is one less person to defend yourself and those in your immediate proximity on campus in a worst case scenario.

Even those who do not have a license but support the cause are strongly encouraged to participate. Power in numbers, and a nation of students concerned about their safety is a strong message from a lot of people

Now personally, I find this a good idea. Kind of a peaceful protest. Any thoughts? Has this been tried elsewhere?

 

[iiibdsiil]

I would do it except I don't need an expulsion for having a firearm inside my vehicle as college is in a rough part of town. I could see this as probable cause to search my car. Although, I assume they can't break the window to get in, and I can just drive off...

 

[Optical Serenity]

Good to see students standing up and letting their voices be heard.

 

[GTSteve03]

Might want to read up on Shaun Kranish over at icarry.org when he tried this same thing on a college campus.

Can you say "wrongful arrest" and "violation of civil rights?" Just warning you, don't expect the powers-that-be to be happy about the serfs getting uppity.

 

[helpless]

Sounds like a novel idea but I wouldn't feel comfortable going to class with an empty holster if you know what I mean.

Regardless of policies the 2A does not say, "Shall not be infringed except while at school, for the children"

 

[average_shooter]

Hey! I had the same idea back in April.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=271369

Actually I like the idea. Good luck to any who participate.

Mine was more specific to Wisconsin. And seems to have floundered...

 

[mcooper]

I'm a member of this group, and campus leader at MSU (MS State University in Starkville, MS).

Though we want to get CCW on Campus (and all other Victim Disarmament Zones), I don't think we have the political capitol. I will be organizing the first meeting of the new school year very soon (for the MSU chapter). The only way we can get it is to have a couple of our VERY progun state senators step up to the plate and get the legislation introduced. I doubt it would pass in the first year.

Also we will do our best to point out the hypocrisy of allowing everyone BUT students to have firearms in their vehicles while on campus.

 

[Autolycus]

Check out www.icarry.org for more information on Sean Kranish.

I myself cannot carry on campus as I live in a non-carry state. I would first like to get national reciprocity as well as getting rid of these no-gun zones. I would suggest using statistics like the high crime rates on campus as a reason.

Muggings and other crimes are relatively common. The problem is that a lot of the victims are drunk when they are mugged (in my experience). The antis might suggest that letting drunk students carry is a bad idea.

I really dont think most students would carry as they cannot afford a gun but those who can should have the right to carry it.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

As an English major and budding journalist, I had an idea to carry concealed on campus in protest of the laws and then write an article about how my CZ85 never jumped up and shot anyone while it was on campus.
You know, I was a knucklehead student who wanted to get up in "the man's" face and show him something.
The editor of the paper said there was no way he would even talk about running the story since it was an article about breaking the law. He did everything but put his fingers in his ears and shout "La La La La La..."

So, I never wrote the story.

This seems like a much better idea than I had and would get a lot of press on campuses.
I'd say do it. But, if you do, be prepared for all of the liberal sheep and some of the conservative sheep to dogpile you. And probably in public while you're trying to grab a burger at the student union or in a computer lab while you're trying to get some work done.
Oddly enough, I just returned to school to get a Criminal Justice degree and the officers in the continuing ed classes all openly carry, but students are forbidden from any kind of carry.

 

[RyanM]

Hm. Sounds like an interesting idea, but unfortunately, all my holsters are IWB. I don't think anyone'd notice.

 

[Hoppy590]

hmmm. tempting idea. but im in MA and i WILL get arrested and expelled. im sure of it... maybe il sneak by with a yaqui slide holster.

 

[RyanM]

Also, it occured to me that my new Comp-Tac CTAC doesn't really scream "holster," even if worn OWB (which would be very ill-advised, since I got it with C-clips). It's just a square tube of Kydex with leather and clips on the ends. I'd probably have people asking me if I lost my phone, if they even noticed.

What about wearing a red or blue gun in the holster instead? It'd attract more attention than an empty holster (and getting attention is sort of the entire point of a protest), but it's still obviously not a firearm at all, just a piece of brightly colored plastic. Of course, you'd want to check your campus regulations and state and local laws real carefully, to make sure that gun facimilies aren't prohibited.

 

[mcooper]

I think the empty holster protest is a bad idea myself. Let's work on the Legislative end first, as empty holster protests are likely to alienate fence sitters.

 

[jefnvk]

Granted, it is a regional thing. Personally, where I am at I think it would fly. We do have a school sponsored IDPA-style club.

I guess my only concern, is what could happen. I assume (famous last words) if I have stricly a holster, and I were so clean there wasnt spare rounds or a gun in my car, I should be good to go. Is it illegal to have a empty holster in some areas?

 

[RyanM]

Wouldn't surprise me if a holster is considered "gun paraphernalia" in some jurisdictions.

 

[Blackbeard]

Better idea -- Print out lots of copies of the campus firearms policy and fashion them into "body armor" to wear around campus. To anyone who asks, explain that you were told the campus no-gun policy would protect you from getting shot.

 

[ctdonath]

I don't think some here quite understand how passionately, extremely holoplophobic some school staff can be.

If you do the "open empty holster to make a point" thing, be ready for arrest, expulsion, etc. You may be in the right, but that doesn't mean those in the wrong will respect your lawful acts, and won't do every nasty thing possible to CRUSH you immediately.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

CT, that's a very good point. They will try to crush you.
However, that's part of the reason why it needs to be protested.

But anyone who does effect this protest needs to be prepared, mentally, for this type of repercussion.

 

[jefnvk]

We'll see. I understand there may be consequences, however, I feel that this school is one that has an open enough mind to rationally discuss this.


As I mentioned, there are three firearm clubs on campus and guns in the dorm hallways are not an uncommon sight. Not to mention the few firearm PE classes. I feel this is somethign, that even though probably nothing will come out of this, can't hurt.

At least, I hope I'm right....

 

[kurtmax]

I like the school policy armor idea.

 

[esq_stu]

I think it will create problems for those participating and will not generate sympathy except from gun people.