Arizona plans to soon push for the elimination of gun-free college campuses, according to the Arizona Capitol Times on Jan. 14, and Louisiana should follow suit to keep students safe.
According to many within our government, gun-free schools make campuses safer. Sounds logical, right?
Wrong. Gun-free zones are gift-wrapped invitations to criminals and mentally ill people. If you planned an attack, would you go somewhere guns are prevalent or an area with a weapons ban? LSU’s gun-free policy tells potential aggressors that our campus contains defenseless sitting ducks.
Look at the attack in San Bernardino, California. The terrorist didn’t care about the area’s gun-free policy, leaving Americans helpless. The Second Amendment is guaranteed for all Americans, and those people deserved a fighting chance.
Creating laws banning weapons in public only restricts law-abiding citizens. Last time I checked, criminals are criminals because they don’t follow the law. Lafayette’s gun-free movie theater didn’t stop the shooter this summer, and LSU’s gun-free zone won’t stop them either.
Now, back to the topic at hand. Should colleges allow students to carry concealed weapons? Before you brand me as a gun-wielding lunatic, think about the possibility of an attack at LSU. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be able to protect myself than be left defenseless.
Don’t get me wrong, college campuses shouldn’t transform into an old western where every student strolls around with gun holsters buckled around their waists. However, potential attackers will be less likely to attack a school if they know the campus contains trained and armed community members.
I will go a step further to increase safety. If Louisiana gave colleges and universities the option to allow guns, LSU should implement guidelines. Students should register their weapons with the school. The schools should also provide a mandatory gun safety course for those intending to carry on campus.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 23 states allow their schools to decide their own weapon policy, and 19 states — including Louisiana — ban concealed weapons on campuses. Giving colleges and universities the ability to choose not only provides freedom to the school, but it also allows the students to choose whether or not they want to attend a gun-free or open carry school.
It breaks my heart when I hear about violent aggressors killing or hurting more innocent people. I want intended victims to come out victorious, so let’s give people the capability to be heroic.
The Second Amendment stands for all Americans to protect themselves, their friends and their families. Each person merits the ability to choose to carry or not.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., perfectly summed up this topic in last week’s GOP presidential debate.
“The Second Amendment is not an option. It is not a suggestion. It is a right of every American to protect themselves and their families,” Rubio said.
I don’t want to feel defenseless and vulnerable if something ever happens here.
Charlie Bonacquisti is a 20-year-old mass communication sophomore from Dallas, Texas. You can find her on Twitter @Charlie_Bonac2.