Guns on College Campuses Debate
By: Jennifer Penate
Updated: February 7, 2013
"It wouldn't be such a good idea because some college students do get violent, some could make reckless decisions and bad things could just happen," says PSU student Maggie Detrick.
"I think it'll give everyone a sense of safety. Just with everything going on right now, you really don't know what's going to happen," says PSU student James Fanning.
The Kansas Senate is reviewing House Bill 2353 which could allow students and faculty to conceal and carry.
PSU's Student Government Association will lobby against the measure in Topeka next week.
"I don't believe that you fight fire with fire. I don't think the answer to school shootings and gunmen on campus is to add more weapons," says Student Government Association Vice President Sydney Ward.
The bill would require extra security measure on campus, with all responsibility falling on the university.
"That's metal detectors at entrances, people's bags being checked, maybe even pat downs. I don't think that 's an environment that students want to go to school in," says Ward.
One PSU group, "Gorilla's for Concealed Carry," favors the measure.
"Stickers on doors don't ward off shooters," says "Gorilla's for Concealed Carry" Vice President Austin Leak.
The group is collecting signatures to prove their case.
"We should have the right to defend ourselves because it's no one's responsibility to defend us, just our own." says Leak.
PSU police chief Mike McCracken say's the responsibility should be left to trained professionals.
"Permit holders receive their initial training but there's no requirement that they have ongoing training after that point," says McCracken.
"Statistically, the shooting is over before the call gets to the police," says Leak.
The bill would allow those 21 years and older with a conceal carry permit to have a firearm on campus.


