Imaginary boundaries

/ hsoi

Another article discussing Texas’ effort for concealed carry on college campuses.

Though most college students are legally adults, they are still maturing and are often subject to stress that can lead to depression, substance abuse and other mental health issues, the statement says. Bringing guns into that environment could be dangerous.

The proposed law only extends to people with a concealed handgun license, which in Texas means you must be at least 21 years of age.  Furthermore, these same people can carry when not on campus. Is there something about the invisible line of a campus boundary that changes things? If a person is having problems, they’re going to have them on both sides of that line. If they’re not having problems, they’re going to not have them on both sides of that line.

Shirley Reed, president of South Texas College, said she also opposes the legislation and believes security should be left to the professionals. Although concealed handgun licensees may know how to use a weapon, they are not versed in how to make the judgment of whether to fire it, she said.

Because they are professionals doesn’t mean much. I can’t carry a cop around with me all day every day. Even if I could, it’s been ruled time and time again they are under no obligation to actually provide any sort of security. Then even if they would, it doesn’t mean they are effective and capable. Furthermore, Ms. Reed states that a licensees are not versed on how to make the judgment of whether to fire a gun. If you are in fear of your life, you can fire it. If you are not, then you shouldn’t be firing it. But apparently I can’t make that judgment call…. and then I wonder, what else are we not capable of judging? Ms. Reed, if you don’t think we’re capable of that, what do you think we’re capable of? Just what do you think of us and our ability? Why do you think so little of the students that attend South Texas College? Are you that ineffective as an educator?

“I strongly believe in the right to bear arms,” [Rep. Veronica] Gonzales [D-McAllen] said. “But there’s a time and a place for it.”

Please tell me, Rep. Gonzales, what that time and place is. Furthermore, it sounds like you have the ability to see into the future and can predict when bad things are going to happen. I don’t have such an ability, so the best I can do is take a cue from my Boy Scout training and Be Prepared.

“A school should be a peaceful environment,” Gonzales said

Why does a school get some sort of special treatment and consideration? It is not holy ground (and this isn’t Highlander). 

Marcos Silva, the [UTPA] student body president, said students have told him that if they knew a classmate had a gun, they would be more likely to focus on that person than what a professor was saying.

Why? You’re college students. You’re supposed to be open-minded. You consider yourselves wonderful good people that don’t hate, that don’t carry around prejudices. So why this attitude? Facts show folks issued a concealed handgun license tend to be amazingly law-abiding; in fact, they tend to be more law-abiding than the general populace. Why do you want to focus on a law-abiding citizen? Looking for a role model?
“If the law permits it for adults, with licenses … what is the problem?” said [Rep. Aaron] Peña, D-Edinburg. “We’re not dealing with children here. We’re dealing with adults.”
Apparently some think adults are only capable of exercising their own judgment in certain situations. In other situations in other places, they apparently need their mother or big brother to make their decisions for them.

6 thoughts on “Imaginary boundaries”

  1. great article. I just worry about this coming to the Washington DC campuses near me!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Correct me if I am wrong, since I havent taken the CHL class yet, but isnt one of the purposes of the classroom portion to introduce the prospective CHL holder to non-violent conflict resolution techniques as well as teach them “how to make the judgement to fire” the handgun during a situation.

    • In Texas, yes. I am not up on the specifics of all other state laws in this area, but from what I have seen not every state has such requirements.

      • I thought that was part of the course in Texas. And as much as I really like this idea, especially knowing some of the CHLs that I do and where they work, this kind of makes me nervous since a lot of college students (even though over 21) do seem to be a little more prone to letting the ups and downs of life get to them. That opinion may be skewed though by my experience living in the dorms and having a neighbor decide it was too much one night.

        • Anyone can be prone to ups and downs…. look at some of the recent tragic events where someone took a gun and went on a spree. 😦

          We also have to consider, in this discussion everyone is focusing on students carrying. Since most college students are not of a legal age to carry, who will be mostly affected by this? Teachers, university employees, other citizens coming on campus for events…. and likely these folks are well above 21 and, going with these lines of argument, more likely to be “stable”.

          But really…. if we say 21 is the age, then 21 is the age. Or are we continuing to say that even at age 21 you’re still not worthy? That you’re still not mature enough? that you’re still not adult enough? that society still doesn’t trust you? If so, then what will it take?

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