Question regarding Guns on College Campus

[J.J.]

OK Here is my question.

I am a college student here in Texas. Yesterday I walk into one of the lecture halls to grab a seat for the upcoming class and test. As we are waiting for everyone to sit down and get the test started I notice a man walking in wearing a badge on his belt and a holster that contains his pistol. So I think to myself off duty police officer. He sits down and precedes to the take the test. Then it clicked. How is it that I am not able to carry concealed on campus yet an off duty police officer is able to open carries on campus?

I mean I am assuming he is off duty how else can he be taking classes during the middle of the day. And I think about it more and more and I see it all the time on campus. I don't understand how they can do that and I can’t just the unfairness of life and all I guess huh.

Would someone explain this to me? Sorry if I seem I am bit*hing and moaning but it perplexes me.

 

[TarpleyG]

Easy. Us peons don't rate high enough to protect ourselves. We must rely on the police and military to do that.

GT

 

[bogie]

That sorta thing makes me nervous.

ANYONE can buy a badge.

I'd much rather have folks carrying concealed, or allowed to carry openly, but when I see some guy wandering around with a badge and a holster, I _first_ assume that we might have some sorta misguided mall-ninja wannabe, and assess the situation. It _might_ be a cop. Or it might be someone who wants to parade around like that...

 

[BerettaNut92]

Maybe he's a cop who's working on his degree to make himself more promotable. I don't like school policy, but I wouldn't bat an eye at the guy either.

 

[Deep Blue]

I don't understand how they can do that and I can’t just the unfairness of life and all I guess huh.

Oh yea, its unfair. If the State trusts you enough to give you a permit, after you've been proven to be a good guy, then why do they consider you a bad guy the minute you step foot on campus? Why does the fact that I've crossed a property line take me from "upstanding citizen" to "ticking timebomb who can't be trusted"? What has changed?

In the past year, there have been three people who were hit by cars while crossing the street at my university. The college administration didn't respond by barring all automobiles from campus. During the same time, there were no shootings on campus. But guns are still illegal. Doesn't that seem a little hypocritical?

If you give me the permit, then let me carry. It should be as simple as that. Stop assuming I have some felonious intent, after I've proven that I don't.

That reminds me, I need to write my local congressman.

 

[Gus Dddysgrl]

Double standards stink. No wait standards stink. But such is the life we live in. Standards is the reason I dropped out of the education program at school. Oh well. They just lost themselves one more future teacher.

If the suppossed "cop" is off duty then why is HE allowed to open carry? Even if he has a badge, wouldn't that freak some people out? I'm not a blissninny and it wouldn't freak me out, but some of those people on college campuses would get freaked. They aren't bothered by the sight of his gun, but the possibility of us having one concealed freaks them out. Oh well. I'm going to stop ranting and go back to good old homemade apple pie. hmmmmmmm

Gus

 

[bogie]

Thing is, lots of folks are used to the "holstered gun & badge = cop" thing...

Hey, a while back I saw a fellow, no badge, no name tags, no nothing, just a shirt that said "Police" and a holstered auto, walking through a local mall.

Sure, theoretically it is everyone's right to carry openly, etc., but sheesh - if someone wants to play dress up and carry, that makes me nervous.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Bogie, is MO an open carry state?

 

[synoptic]

J.J. - I agree, it sucks doesn't it. We do get one thing they don't that pisses them off, they can't carry outside of the state unless they have a CHL like us, and then only to the same states that we can. Of course, for them I think its like $25 for a license. Either way, I guess I'll be all set in about a year when I graduate and become a cop as well as have my CHL. All I will need then is an FFL

 

[madmike]

That reminds me: FFL holders carry for FREE in Indiana.

Makes sense, doesn't it? You're going to sell a product that attracts criminal interest, you need a way to dissuade them.

Not like sIllinoise where the FFL must carry his merchandise locked in the trunk and be "unarmed" himself. (Though he can carry cased, if he doesn't mind arguing with the JBTs over it.)

 

[J.J.]

Here is my thought, I mean can anyone show me how the law excludes poliece officers from the law of the state? I want to see proof and I want to know why because they get paid to do that while one who is cleared by the state thru the same background checks to not be able to carry.

 

[Pilgrim]

Here is my thought, I mean can anyone show me how the law excludes poliece officers from the law of the state? I want to see proof and I want to know why because they get paid to do that while one who is cleared by the state thru the same background checks to not be able to carry.

In California the law against carrying firearms on school campuses does not apply to sworn peace officers. It does not differentiate between on duty or off duty. The state attorney general however, rendered an opinion the law protects off duty officers from arrest, but if they don't have police business on the campus and the school administration wants them to leave, they have to leave or be subject to arrest for trespassing.

Pilgrim

 

[DMK]

Here in NC, you can lose your licence if you carry in any place that serves alcohol. Even if you never, ever touch the stuff.

The other day while eating dinner at an Applebees, I noticed a gentleman having dinner with a lady friend while carrying a poorly concealed firearm (belt slide, took his jacket off). As he opened his wallet to leave a tip, I noticed the badge that I was expecting.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he shouldn't carry anywhere. I'm not blaming him for stupid legislation and think police should be able to carry anywhere. I also think that those licenced to carry should be able to carry anywhere an off duty policeman can.

:banghead:

 

[LiquidTension]

Why can't we carry where police can? Simple.



Blissninnies.

They are completely terrified of firearms, but the idea of a police state makes them all warm and fuzzy inside. If they see a cop carrying in a school, they are instantly reminded of the utopia they wish they could have. If they find out that "normal" people are carrying in school, they'd soil themselves and pitch a fit. These are the people that fight for "safe zones" when laws are being written.

Everything bad is because of blissninnies.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Do college students have civil rights?

 

[J.J.]

Standing Wolf: As few as possible as i learn..
*University sells my info no matter what I do.
*Profs don't seem to care that I have caught a fraternity cheating thru the use of stolen tests...
*If we are a student we can't park in the parking lot for financial aid etc.. so i guess they want us to walk 2 miles... (the closest not teacher or not a we will tow if you park here area) if we want to talk to finanical aid...
*the list goes on..
__________

Back on Topic:
What do the ex or still Poliece officers have to say on this? I haven't heard much from those who are officers like i expected.. anyone?

 

[Phyphor]

Yea

I don't think it's right that they can walk onto a campus, visibly armed when off duty, but we can't carry concealed there.

After all, what makes his life worth more than mine?

Who's gonna get shot first if the SHTF?

:banghead:

 

[Mushinto]

...and I want to know why because they get paid to do that while one who is cleared by the state thru the same background checks to not be able to carry.

1. The law exempts them and not you -- don't blame the cop.
2. If I made the law, you would be able to carry also.
3. What makes you think that the background check you had for your permit was even remotely close to a law enforcement background check? It ain't even close partner.
For what it's worth, when I was finishing my degree, I went directly from work to the college campus -- complete with pistol and badge on my belt. My philosophy is that the more guns people see, the less they are likely to pee their pants when they see one.
ML

 

[BerettaNut92]

Do college students have civil rights?

Some.

My school skipped right over due process and said that if we were SUSPECTED of cheating, our tactical seating rear appendages were grass.

I was re-reading the dorm policies again and use and posession of firearms are prohibited. That's why there are no rapes on campus

 

[BluesBear]

I believe that Peace Officers should be allowed to carry anywhere, anytime.
I believe that responsible persons with a CCW should be allowed to carry anywhere, anytime.
I believe that responsible adult should be allowed to carry anywhere, anytime.


OK, OK maybe inside or a jail or prison or even a psycho ward should be off limits.


I believe Jeff Cooper said it best;

There are more good people than bad people in the world.
Give them all guns and do the math.