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http://media.www.dailynebraskan.com...d.Weapons.On.Campus.Unnecessary-3288974.shtml
http://media.www.dailynebraskan.com...d.Weapons.On.Campus.Unnecessary-3288974.shtml
After the string of campus and community shootings that began in 2007 and stretched into this year, we're all that much more uneasy about the society in which we live.
We're all eager to find a way to stop the string of violence and go to school on safe campuses.
That's why this editorial board is glad concealed firearms are banned on University of Nebraska campuses. We understand the need to protect students and everyone else; we just don't see how students running around with concealed handguns will ever actually solve a problem.
That's a position we've reiterated time and again; there is absolutely no reason students should think a concealed weapon would shield them from danger.
Of course, that's not enough to end the debate.
In Alabama on Wednesday, the state's senate killed a bill that would have allowed certain students to carry concealed firearms on campus.
Similar bills have been introduced in several other states.
The Alabama legislature also proposed that professors be allowed to carry concealed weapons; as if older (but still untrained) civilians are more qualified to carry and discharge firearms than are younger untrained adults.
The truth is, police and military undergo an incredible amount of firearms training - to the point that they are ready to distinguish targets and exercise proper discipline when shooting.
The Alabama legislators recognized this, and defeated both efforts. Neither students nor teachers will be able to carry concealed firearms on campus, and that's absolutely as it should be.
We want to see campus environments where staff, students and faculty act quickly to help troubled individuals when they encounter situations that could lead to violence. In many situations, obviously, we can't see the violent outbursts coming - but how would students and professors carrying weapons help?
Few have taken advantage of Nebraska's concealed carry legislation; it isn't like 50 percent of the population is carrying around a firearm. So if someone did try to commit a shooting on our campus, the chances of a student with a gun to stop them would probably be low in the first place.
Handguns are (relatively) expensive for the average student, as are concealed carry permits
And even if someone did have weapon nearby to try and stop the attacker, the worry comes back that that person wouldn't have the expertise and practice that we would see in a UNL police officer responding to the scene.
It's understandable that some students and faculty would feel better carrying handguns - they would feel like they had the power to prevent a tragedy.
They wouldn't have that power.
The Alabama state legislature was right to reject this bill; it doesn't represent the right way to protect the students in that state.
We hope legislators and officials in Nebraska will look to the Alabama State Senate and avoid giving anyone the ability to conceal weapons on campus.
