A small group gathered Tuesday afternoon in the Atchafalaya Room in the Union on for a panel on gun control laws organized by Student Government. The panel was moderated by SG Director of External Affairs Calder Lynch and included LSUPD Chief Ricky Adams and Rep. Rick Gallot, D-Grambling. Discussion surrounded the new bill Gallot plans to present before the legislative session. The bill would outlaw firearms in residence halls and apartments on college campuses if passed. Gallot said he originally introduced the bill in 2003 after finding a loophole in the current state law allowing students to have firearms in dorm rooms and vehicles as well as when transporting the firearm between the two places. Gallot said this was contradictory to University policies, which outlawed weapons on campus. The bill failed, but after the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, Gallot decided to reintroduce the bill. “What this bill would do is close that exception,” Gallot said. Gallot said there would be certain exceptions to the bill including students enrolled in a firearm class associated with ROTC and students who hold a law enforcement job. Adams said the University has such a heavily populated campus that it would be easy for a student to be wounded by a firearm in the residence halls. “The fewer weapons we have on this campus, the safer the campus,” Adams said. Adams also addressed campus safety in light of Va. Tech. “The first step is to be able to alert people,” Adams said. Adams said the University is working on a public safety only text-messaging system for students, faculty and staff. He said they also are initiating programs about what to do in the event of an emergency. The panel also discussed whether allowing guns on campus would have prevented a tragedy like the one at Va. Tech because students would have been able to defend themselves. Adams said it is virtually impossible to know what could have happened. “A weapon in the hands of an individual without training could make things worse,” Adams said. Adams said LSUPD has the best interest of the faculty, staff and students in mind. “If the law is passed, LSUPD will enforce that law,” Adams said. Gallot invited all students with concerns to be part of the committee process, which is open to the public. Robert Starnes, political science junior, said he believes in the right to keep and bear arms. Starnes said the decision requires a lot of thought. “I do support a gun-free zone though,” Starnes said. Michael Schouest, political science sophomore, said he is usually against gun control but is torn on this particular issue. “[Gun control laws] are not necessary until the day they finally are. I’m kind of drawn with this,” Schouest said.
—–Contact Caitlyn Scott at [email protected]