There is now a plan to allow college students to carry weapons on any public campus. The legislation is on its way to the state house.
The text of House Bill 2513 says any student who is at least 21 years old and has a concealed carry permit would be allowed to bring a firearm to school. It comes as campus violence seems to be on the increase.
Everyone at OSU-Tulsa we spoke to about the plan doesn't like it. They already have a lot of security on campus. One example -- push a button on a phone and it immediately connects to police. Students say things like that are enough.
OSU-Tulsa Police Chief Melvin Murdock showed us the complex system already in place -- security cameras inside and outside all of the buildings send live video back to the command center. The school also has an emergency alert system and a full police force.
Now, some state leaders want colleges to take things one step further -- allowing students who have concealed carry permits to bring their weapons on campus.
"It certainly causes immediate concern from a law enforcement point of view," Murdock says. "And one of those concerns is it doesn't allow us to distinguish between the good guy and the bad guy when we go into a situation."
The proposed bill surprised Murdock. It was introduced by Representative Jason Murphey after the latest college shooting at Northern Illinois University. He says enough is enough and we have to do something to make our campuses safer.
But, do the students agree?
"You're providing them ammo and I don't think that's appropriate in schools," says Natasha Meza.
"I don't agree at all," adds Arrica Bailey. "I think that puts a lot more students at risk for danger."
"It doesn't sound like a good idea to carry guns on campus," says Kerri Ishel. "Not necessary."
Everyone we spoke with sides with the police chief. With or without a concealed carry permit, Murdock says people could still make bad decisions.
"Just your average citizen doesn't have the level of training a police officer has," Murdock says.
We checked with other universities in our area. OU-Tulsa and TCC did not want to comment on the proposal. Rogers State University says it does not have an opinion one way or another.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill. In a few weeks, it will go to the full House.
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0208/499579.html
The text of House Bill 2513 says any student who is at least 21 years old and has a concealed carry permit would be allowed to bring a firearm to school. It comes as campus violence seems to be on the increase.
Everyone at OSU-Tulsa we spoke to about the plan doesn't like it. They already have a lot of security on campus. One example -- push a button on a phone and it immediately connects to police. Students say things like that are enough.
OSU-Tulsa Police Chief Melvin Murdock showed us the complex system already in place -- security cameras inside and outside all of the buildings send live video back to the command center. The school also has an emergency alert system and a full police force.
Now, some state leaders want colleges to take things one step further -- allowing students who have concealed carry permits to bring their weapons on campus.
"It certainly causes immediate concern from a law enforcement point of view," Murdock says. "And one of those concerns is it doesn't allow us to distinguish between the good guy and the bad guy when we go into a situation."
The proposed bill surprised Murdock. It was introduced by Representative Jason Murphey after the latest college shooting at Northern Illinois University. He says enough is enough and we have to do something to make our campuses safer.
But, do the students agree?
"You're providing them ammo and I don't think that's appropriate in schools," says Natasha Meza.
"I don't agree at all," adds Arrica Bailey. "I think that puts a lot more students at risk for danger."
"It doesn't sound like a good idea to carry guns on campus," says Kerri Ishel. "Not necessary."
Everyone we spoke with sides with the police chief. With or without a concealed carry permit, Murdock says people could still make bad decisions.
"Just your average citizen doesn't have the level of training a police officer has," Murdock says.
We checked with other universities in our area. OU-Tulsa and TCC did not want to comment on the proposal. Rogers State University says it does not have an opinion one way or another.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill. In a few weeks, it will go to the full House.
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0208/499579.html
