A Q&A Sesson

I answered a few questions recently for a reporter from my school paper. Though she ended up not needing my responses, I thought I would post them here just so they werent a total waste of my time:

What is the main idea behind your beliefs to allow the carrying of concealed guns on campus?

The driving force behind allowing individuals to carry a concealed handgun on campus, and of concealed carry in general, is to prevent those individuals from becoming victimized. There is simply no way for any police force to protect every location at once, and there is no way of completely disarming all criminals. Concealed carry’s advantages are two-fold. The first, most obvious, advantage would become readily apparent if there ever were to be a situation in which a shooter was to attempt a shooting on campus. The second advantage comes from the deterrence factor of knowing that in any classroom, dining hall, etc, there might be an individual carrying a concealed handgun. I feel that this deterrence alone might well be enough to discourage any potential shooter, even if only one in one hundred individuals on campus chose to exercise the right to carry.

In what ways have you and your peers conveyed your interest in this idea on our campus? Do you see an idea like this ever becoming apolicy on our campus?

Unfortunately, the current political and social climate makes concealed carry, and firearms in general, a very touchy subject with many individuals, especially in an academic environment where professors and students tend to have feelings which are liberally slanted. This makes concealed carry a tough sell, despite the fact that 48 states allow concealed carry in some capacity. Many individuals are simply unaware that, in any given public situation outside of campus, there may very well be one or more people who are legally carrying a firearm. While this may be a frightening thought to the uninitiated, they should be aware that concealed carry holders are significantly less likely to commit a crime, violent or otherwise (http://www.ncpa.org/ba/ba324/ba324.html). Those carrying a concealed handgun may in fact be projecting a blanket of deterrence over those who aren’t carrying, because criminals cannot tell before a crime who is armed and who isn’t, and thus my be deterred entirely from committing a crime for fear of their own life. In contrast, in areas where concealed carry is not allowed, criminals are free to prey on virtually anyone, knowing that it is extremely unlikely that they will be able to defend themselves.

I find it unlikely that concealed carry will be permitted on campus in the near future. With fewer and fewer people exposed to firearms in any environment other than movies and the news, many misconceptions have been placed in the psyche of the average person about guns and the people who own them. I think peoples’ attitudes would be different if they understood that the vast majority of gun owners are law citizens who keep guns for sporting purposes, self defense, or simply to exercise their right protected by the second amendment.

Have you considered any of the cons to allowing a policy such asthis pass on Lehigh's campus or any college campus?

Many have pointed out the potential for disaster if firearms and alcohol are mixed. While I don’t argue with the dangers associated with mixing them, I think that the individual who goes through the trouble of obtaining a concealed carry permit generally understands the immense responsibility that goes along with carrying such a tool. In addition, under Pennsylvania’s laws, one must be at least 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm. It is my opinion that Lehigh’s juniors and seniors have a significantly higher level of maturity than the average freshman.

Any additional information would greatly help me to write aninsightful, thorough article. Please share your thoughts about anythingon this topic with me.

While the threat of a “shooting spree” type event is what has prompted the nationwide campaign to allow concealed carry on campus, I think an equally valid reason for carrying is one which our students face all too often. Headlines of assault, robbery, and burglary are very common in the school paper. I feel that students are seen by robbers as easy prey. We should not have to fear the walk home from from the library at night. Robbers who faced the potential of having to risk their life to steal someone’s wallet would think twice before attempting to do so.

And there you have it. Sorry if its a bit lengthy, but I guess if you are reading this you managed to make it though the whole thing. Thanks for reading.