New law allows students to carry concealed gun

The debate on whether or not to permit firearms on college cam­puses has been growing rapidly over the years.

While some argue the pros of permitting firearms on college campus, mainly that of self de­fense, others argue that the an­swer to violence is not more vio­lence.

26 states have regulations that prohibit fire­arms on univer­sity campuses.

In almost ev­ery state, except Utah, the school has the authority to create their own policy.

After years of upholding a ban on firearms on campus, Utah is currently the only state that now allows permit holders to carry guns on college campuses.

Other states, such as Arizona and Michigan, currently have bills pending in hopes to overturn the ban of guns on college campuses.

Firearm bills have been reject­ed in over 20 states within the last four years, including Louisiana.

Yet it’s only a matter of time be­fore one is brought up again.

In 2009, ULM partnered with other Louisiana universities and declared their opposition to House Bill 27, which would have allowed for concealed handguns on the college campuses in Loui­siana.

ULM’s Student Government As­sociation, SGA, argued that al­though there may have been some concerns in regards to campus se­curity, the permitting of firearms would not prevent or decrease the chances of violence on campus, but rather increase the risk of vi­olence.

SGA president, Brook Sebren, simply stated, “It’s all about the safety of our students.”

Many ULM students believe that the allowance of firearms could increase the chances of an accident.

LaQuaneisha Smith, a freshman undeclared major from Shreve­port, doesn’t believe students should be allowed to carry guns on campus, whether they have a permit or not.

“Absolutely not, the thought of somebody carrying a loaded gun while sitting next to me in a class­room scares me, for the simple fact that it’s a loaded gun,” Smith said.

“It could fall out, hit the floor and go off. Accidents can happen,” said Smith.

Brad Neville, a freshman histo­ry major from Pollock, occasion­ally goes hunting and knows the power of a gun.

But he still believes that guns belong in the woods with hunters, not in schools with students.

“I think we should have the right to bear arms but I don’t think it’s necessary on campus,” said Neville.