In the US, colleges, and universities rampage shootings and general school violence spiked from the mid-1990s to date, changing the way most American Schools have dealt with the issue. Despite being noticeable from the 20th century, student’s threats have been there since the beginning of formal education. Most scholars have seen the need to put in measures that allow people in a school fraternity to be armed with concealed weapons, while still, others are against the move. In this essay, the two opposing viewpoints will be discussed, and the argument will be against college employees carrying concealed weapons while on campus.
In the USA, controversial laws are restricting the presence of guns in or around schools, mostly elementary and secondary schools. The Gun-Free Zone Act of 1990 makes it illegal for people to carry firearms, whether on campus or within 1000 feet near or around a school environment (Cite)(McMahon-Howard, Scherer, and McCafferty 3). However, state legislators who have been reviewing pro-gun laws have considered the abolishment of gun-free school zones, allowing people with state licenses to have guns with them even around campus (Cite). They have argued that allowing the carrying of concealed guns would make school environments safer, giving victims of shootings the ability to defend themselves. They also say that people’s rights are usually violated when people are prevented from carrying guns. As a result, laws have been passed in most states, legalizing concealed weapons on college campuses (Collins 1). The opponents believe that there would be a high possibility of death or even injury if guns were allowed on campuses. Therefore, guns should not be allowed on campuses because this could increase shootings, violence, and even raise insecurities, creating more tension to students.
Some Universities have allowed professors and employees to have concealed weapons only if they have licenses. However, such universities that allow firearms on campus have seen the closure of hostels due to increased violence coming from the students who are involved in careless shootings. The deadliest attack to be experienced was the Virginia Tech shooting, which took place in 2007, where 33 people lost their lives, including the shooter by the name Seung-HuiCho (cite). HuiCho was a senior student in the university and had caused the deaths through opening a firearm in his possession at the campus, some seventeen others had escaped death but were left wounded. From a survey carried out on 1789 students in Washington State and South Eastern Texas, 3 in 1 students feel that it is not right to have a gun in a schooling environment (cite). Another similar survey conducted on 15 public universities in mid-western; 78 % of the students are also not in support of the presence of concealed weapons on campus. Besides, even if students were allowed to carry the guns, not every student would afford, which would create further divisions between students; since the later would feel inferior. The safety of students and lecturers would also be compromised mostly in locations that have increased anxiety and tensions.
Even though in today’s world, there have been increased crime rates, concealed weapons would be justified, which is not the case since they do not offer a solution either to the crime rates or to the increased murder cases happening. The availability of weapons on campus poses more threat as some of the firearms would end up in the hands of criminals resulting in criminal activities. The trend is worrying and necessitates the need for self-defense for American citizens. For safety in schools, students should be taught defensive methods while faced with danger.