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.