Introduction

Governor Brownback signed a bill introduced by Kansas state legislature that mandates all public buildings to allow handguns, with the exception of some buildings with security measures (i.e. metal detectors.) Public universities were given an exemption until 2017 to meet the new expectations. Exemption for public college and university campuses to prevent concealed carry will expire in 2017. When the current exemption expires, anyone could concealed or open carry a handgun on to Kansas college campuses. Currently, public colleges and universities in Kansas have the right to choose to prohibit handguns on campus and in campus buildings. Since April 2015, Kansas also no longer requires its citizens to undergo training or authorization to conceal carry ahandgun.  There is no license required for this, and any citizen who legally owns a firearm may conceal carry. This further adds to the issue as now nearly anyone could buy a handgun and carry it on to a college campus without any type of training.

Below is a small excerpt from the law that public colleges and universities have been exempted from over the past few years. In 2017, this law will take effect over public universities and colleges.

Some argue in favor or “for” the allowance of concealed carry being allowed on public university campuses. Others argue “against” the end of the exemption period and support the prohibition of handguns at college universities.

Big Question: Should adults be allowed to carry handguns onto public colleges and universities and into campus buildings?

Major Democratic Ideals in Play: Public Safety, 2nd Amendment right 

Links:

http://cjonline.com/news/2015-12-28/brownback-defends-states-new-guns-campus-law

http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/guns-on-campus-overview.aspx

Questions:

What are the reasons why you would feel safer with and without concealed weapons on college campuses? Brainstorm 1-2 ideas for each side.

Argument 1: Public Safety

Against Argument: 

Allowing concealed carry on college campuses makes students, faculty, and public safety personnel vulnerable to gun violence at anytime. A professor at Kansas State stated that, “University classrooms, labs, libraries, athletic venues, and other public spaces bring people in close proximity to one another. Accidental shootings cannot occur in the absence of guns and we believe more guns will increase the likelihood of accidental shootings of our co-workers, our students and the guests who come to our campuses.” If everyone were allowed to carry a handgun on campus, in the event of an active shooter, it could not only turn into a shoot out and put more people in danger, but also make it more difficult for public safety personnel to identify and target the perpetrator vs those trying to defend themselves. Allowing weapons on campus places everyone at risk of becoming a victim of gun violence. 

For Argument:

On the other hand, a common misconception of conceal and carry on college campuses is the assumption that there will be an escalation in violent crimes. However, over the past 20 years, more than 150 US college campuses allowing concealed carry and not one of these campuses has seen a single resulting act of violence (including threats) or a single resulting suicide attempt. In the same way, not a single state has seen a resulting increase in gun violence. In the event of an active shooter, concealed carry would increase the sense of public safety as students’ and faculty with handguns would be able to protect themselves and others against the perpetrator. Many believe that placing limitation on conceal and carry on Kansas college campuses not only goes against the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms but also encroaches on public safety.

Questions: Based on the links below, do you believe conceal/carry make campuses more or less safe? Why?

Links: For: http://concealedcampus.org/common-arguments/#1

Against: http://www.governing.com/topics/education/tns-kansas-professors-campus-carry.html

Argument 2: Second Amendment Rights

For Argument: 
Placing limitations on where handguns are allowed and who can carry a concealed handgun on Kansas college campuses infringes on the community’s second amendment right to bear arms. Governor Brownback defended his movement to allow concealed handguns on campuses in Kansas without restrictions by stating that “this matter is about the second amendment right, and though some may question the right and its limitations, it is a constitutional right none the less. If we as a people limit and ultimately take away this right, what other rights can be taken away as well?”. The constitution ensures that every citizen has the right to defend and protect him or herself. By taking away this right, citizens may be less able to protect themselves if a situation were to occur.
Question: What are reasons why you do not feel it is okay for the government to limit your constitutional rights?

Against Argument: 
However, on the other hand, constitutional rights have been limited in the past to ensure the safety of American citizens. For instance, the first amendment right allows freedom of speech, but in 1919 a Supreme Court justice stated, “The first amendment right would not protect a man in falsely shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater and causing a panic”. Though everyone has the right of freedom of speech, one would infringe on said right if they were to cause clear and present danger. Allowing handguns on college campuses would add clear and present danger should a “shootout” occur. Limiting rights has been done in the past in order to ensure public safety, just like it will do in the future. Limiting the right is not taking it away, it is simply protecting the people of the United States from a threat of clear and present danger.
Question: When do you think it is okay for the government to limit your constitutional rights?
Links: 
http://concealedcampus.org/campus-crime/  
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/not-many-exceptions-to-free-speech-guarantee

Synthesis

Big Question: Should adults be allowed to carry guns onto public colleges and universities and into campus buildings?

Major Democratic Ideals in Play: Public Safety, 2nd Amendment right

The current exemption allows public universities and colleges to prohibit concealed carry of handguns on campuses. This exemption will expire in 2017. After that time, buildings would have to be equipped with security measures in order to prevent people from carrying handguns. 

Some argue that the right to conceal and carry on campus compromises public safety while others argue that it enhances public safety should a threat arise on campus. On one hand, an increased number of handguns on campus has the potential to increase violence and create a more dangerous environment. However, a concealed handgun could also stop an active shooter that was a danger to many people if they came on to campus.

Another common argument is that the current exemption infringes on and limits the Second Amendment right to bear arms. However, in contrast with the infringement on the Second Amendment, other constitutional rights have been limited in the past in order to ensure public safety. While the right to bear arms is a constitutional right, the risks of increased handguns on college campuses outweighs that right. 

Links for more information if interested in this topic:
http://time.com/4237638/campus-carry-texas-universities/?xid=homepage​ 
http://time.com/4236258/iowa-bill-children-handguns/?xid=homepage​
http://www.csg.org/pubs/capitolideas/enews/cs20_1.aspx​

For Editorial

When it comes to allowing handguns on Kansas’ campuses, I really see no reason to deny individuals this right. Second Amendment rights are also being infringed upon by denying individuals their rights to bear arms. No state or university has the right to overrule the Constitution, the law of our country. It is our constitutional right as citizens to be armed if we so choose. To restrict our rights as citizens would be to deny us our pursuit of liberty. 

Having individuals who are readily armed and willing to act in the event of a shooting is an invaluable asset. A large amount of lives could be saved in the time it takes first responders to arrive. Putting the public safety first is at the heart of this supposed conflict, and when individuals are properly equipped to act the public is safer than without a form of defense. In addition, there is nothing that is going to stop a shooter from acting if he or she really wants to. Just because a law says that handguns can’t be present in an area does not guarantee deterrence. Signs that say “no weapons allowed” are just as efficient as speed limit signs in stopping rule breakers. A sign poses no tangible opposition, and is easily ignored. A human being is far more effective in this regard than a sign. Frankly, it surprises me it has taken so long for Kansas to allow concealed carry on the premises of public buildings.

Question: Where and how might someone who is against the concealed carry law poke holes in this argument?

Against Editorial

It is concerning to me that in just a few months’ time, the public university exemption on concealed handguns will expire.  People on the right will claim that it is in their 2nd Amendment rights to carry a weapon wherever they may please.  And while they are guaranteed the right to be armed, they are not guaranteed the right to infringe upon the rights of other people.  Personal safety will be violated, and our “unalienable rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” will all be taken away from those on public university property.  There is no justifiable reason for a collective to feel unsafe simply going to work or class, just because a select few individuals feel the need to be armed.  There is a reason we have armed police officers, and it is to prevent individuals from causing harm to themselves or others.  That is not a job for an untrained civilian.

If the exemption does indeed expire, tens of thousands of university students and faculty will be subject to extremely dangerous situations.  Allowing concealed carry on colleges in Kansas will increase the likelihood for any individual to bring in a handgun and open fire on the public.  Time and time again we’ve seen horrific events at Columbine, at Virginia Tech, and recently at Newtown yet we still have yet to learn our lesson.  We as a community must fight back and make our voices heard.  If we can’t arrive at a solution and let the exemption expire, we are opening up the state of Kansas to be the next morbid national news story.

Question: How might someone who is for the concealed carry law take up issue with this argument?