I Don't Approve My Tax Dollars to do That: Mix Guns and Education

Guns have a place. They belong in gun clubs, shooting ranges, private homes for self-defense and in the hands of law enforcement. But according to the Colorado Supreme Court, guns now have another locale: the college classroom.

In March, the Colorado Supreme Court overturned a college-wide ban prohibiting firearms, claiming that  such a ban violated students' Second Amendment rights. The decision enabled students to bring their guns practically anywhere on campus. From class to the library to the dining hall, students with concealed weapon permits are now permitted to haul their guns around alongside textbooks and gym bags. CU did implement several restrictions on where guns can and cannot go. They are forbidden at sporting events and in regular dorms. Students with permits who wish to bring their guns to campus, something the school strongly discourages, are housed with graduate students (http://www.npr.org/2012/08/23/159921428/u-of-colorado-to-students-no-guns-in-dorms-please) Bans on visible guns, knifes and explosive remain unchanged. (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-17/news/sns-rt-us-usa-firearms-coloradobre87h00h-20120817_1_boulder-campus-graduate-student-guns). In addition to the school's sanctions, Colorado law mandates anyone seeking a concealed weapons permit must be 21 or older. (http://www.npr.org/2012/08/23/159921428/u-of-colorado-to-students-no-guns-in-dorms-please) 

The changes came into effect as students returned to campus this past August. The Supreme Court's decision has sparked a rift between the University and the professors, many of whom shudder at the thought of students bringing concealed weapons to their classes. Some have threatened to cancel class in protest. The University however, has forcefully retaliated, admonishing professors who have expressed their resentment and made such threats. The administration claims that such decisions are not the professors call. Furthermore, it states that refusal to comply will be in violation of Colorado state law. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22/cu-boulder-chancellor-peterson-guns-on-campus_n_1822550.html 

Map of demonstrating which states ban guns from campuses, which permit their schools to decide, and which always allow guns. I was surprised to see that the "banned" states and "decide" states did not necessarily correlate to the conservative red versus liberal blue state map. I was especially surprised to see that Texas, Georgia and most other Deep South states had banned guns from college campuses.
photo credit: http://downloads.thedaily.com/ui-images/2012/08/18/081812-news-concealed-carry-map-r-662w-at-1x.png

If I were a student at Colorado University and I were financially able, I would hands-down transfer to another school. I am repulsed at the thought of my peers bringing guns to class. I would be afraid that someone might come after me if I made a provocative comment (said in a tactful, intellectually-stimulating way of course). Class would become more stressful than it already is, as I would replay the Aurora shootings in my head. This time, however, the setting being a lecture hall as opposed to a movie theater. 

It saddens me to think that students feel the need to protect themselves with a concealed weapon on a college campus. College is supposed to be a safe haven for learning and provide us with holy grail of education  resources and stimulation. College students are already stressed. We do not need to add the fear of getting shot by our classmates in a lecture hall, dorm, gym, or dining hall to the omnipresent  academic pressures.We do not need to worry about getting hurt for a controversial comment made in class. In my opinion, no guns on campus - period. 

Some will argue that since shootings occur on college campus (VTech), students should be able to defend themselves. This argument can be applied to any of the shootings in the thought that, "If I have a gun, I can protect myself." Is one person's right to protect himself or herself worth more than another individual or group's right to feel secure in a supposedly safe setting? Can guns have a "safe" place in the classroom and not interfere with student learning environment? Should we all carry concealed weapons?