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http://www.newswatch50.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=53FD501C-6613-458A-9A79-A32718096F2C
Armed student militia for SUNY Potsdam?
Update: SUNY Potsdam's Deidre Kelly, Acting Director of Public Affairs issued the following statement:
At this time, there has been no student organization or individuals who have contacted anyone in the campus administration about forming a militia. It appears to be a conversation that is taking place within a student organization.
If students wish to engage in a conversation about students' rights or safety issues, we would be happy to meet with them and discuss their concerns. However, campus regulations and state law prohibit possession of firearms on campus, and we support those policies.
SUNY Potsdam's campus is extremely safe. We have University Police Officers actively engaged in patrolling the campus and the areas around campus regularly. The University Police Office is open 24 hours a day. We also offer a number of services to students, such as escorts, a Blue Light System and safety programing. (End of statement)
5/9/06
An armed student militia should patrol the grounds on and off campus at SUNY Potsdam, according to the Chairman of the College Republicans.
Kelly Eustis tells NewsWatch50 he borrowed the idea from student leaders at SUNY New Paltz but also believes it's a Republican-oriented issue.
"I believe it is our constitutional right," Eustis said. "It will show people that it is the right to bear arms. It will also act as a defense organization for the students of SUNY Potsdam and act as a kind of a watchdog group for police."
Eustis said that after just a few days of soliciting he has 16 students interested in being a part of the militia.
At SUNY New Paltz, Student Association leaders are proposing patrols consisting of three students, two armed with shotguns and a third carrying a video camera. They say this would act as a "watchdog group" against police abuses.
State law and SUNY regulations prohibit firearms on campuses. That means students at both campuses will have to confine their efforts off campus or without weapons unless the regulations are changed.
NewsWatch50: "So you're not pressing for on-campus weapons for these patrols?" Eustis: "Well we will be pressing for it but we probably won't be seeing it for a really long time."
Deidre Kelly, SUNY Potsdam's Acting Director of Public Affairs said she spent the day fielding calls about the militia proposal.
She said students she talked to feel that a student militia isn't needed.
"The consensus seems to be that they feel the university police office is doing a great job and if students want to volunteer to help out in some kind of, maybe neighborhood watch, then that would be welcome," Kelly said.
She said that far from making the campus safer, guns in students' hands would likely have the opposite effect.
"So it's always best to keep firearms in the hands of professionals who are trained to use them," Kelly said.
Armed student militia for SUNY Potsdam?
Update: SUNY Potsdam's Deidre Kelly, Acting Director of Public Affairs issued the following statement:
At this time, there has been no student organization or individuals who have contacted anyone in the campus administration about forming a militia. It appears to be a conversation that is taking place within a student organization.
If students wish to engage in a conversation about students' rights or safety issues, we would be happy to meet with them and discuss their concerns. However, campus regulations and state law prohibit possession of firearms on campus, and we support those policies.
SUNY Potsdam's campus is extremely safe. We have University Police Officers actively engaged in patrolling the campus and the areas around campus regularly. The University Police Office is open 24 hours a day. We also offer a number of services to students, such as escorts, a Blue Light System and safety programing. (End of statement)
5/9/06
An armed student militia should patrol the grounds on and off campus at SUNY Potsdam, according to the Chairman of the College Republicans.
Kelly Eustis tells NewsWatch50 he borrowed the idea from student leaders at SUNY New Paltz but also believes it's a Republican-oriented issue.
"I believe it is our constitutional right," Eustis said. "It will show people that it is the right to bear arms. It will also act as a defense organization for the students of SUNY Potsdam and act as a kind of a watchdog group for police."
Eustis said that after just a few days of soliciting he has 16 students interested in being a part of the militia.
At SUNY New Paltz, Student Association leaders are proposing patrols consisting of three students, two armed with shotguns and a third carrying a video camera. They say this would act as a "watchdog group" against police abuses.
State law and SUNY regulations prohibit firearms on campuses. That means students at both campuses will have to confine their efforts off campus or without weapons unless the regulations are changed.
NewsWatch50: "So you're not pressing for on-campus weapons for these patrols?" Eustis: "Well we will be pressing for it but we probably won't be seeing it for a really long time."
Deidre Kelly, SUNY Potsdam's Acting Director of Public Affairs said she spent the day fielding calls about the militia proposal.
She said students she talked to feel that a student militia isn't needed.
"The consensus seems to be that they feel the university police office is doing a great job and if students want to volunteer to help out in some kind of, maybe neighborhood watch, then that would be welcome," Kelly said.
She said that far from making the campus safer, guns in students' hands would likely have the opposite effect.
"So it's always best to keep firearms in the hands of professionals who are trained to use them," Kelly said.