2008 Woodie Awards
UW Seattle students support the bill to allow concealed-carry guns on campus
Recent crime incidents on the UW Seattle campus have prompted some students and politicians to call for concealed weapons at Washington state universities.
Ciara Calleja
Issue date: 5/22/08 Section: Husky Voices
Until now, the University of Washington has strictly been a "no gun" campus. But some students want that to change in light of recent campus crimes. For 16 states the ban on guns is enforced within college campuses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Most states, Washington included, leave this in the hands of universities. Using the law, most colleges enforce that guns be forbidden on campus. In response to the Virginia Tech shooting last April, which left 33 dead, the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus was formed.
On April 21-25, SCCC protesters made their stand at UW Seattle in support of a bill proposed by Sen. Pam Roach (R-Auburn) that would prohibit state universities from banning concealed-carry guns on campus. In other words, students and faculty would be permitted to carry guns on each UW campus.
Passing the bill, UW Seattle students argued, would ensure their right to the second amendment right to bear arms. They said that guns would allow them to protect themselves in a case of a school shooting, and that people would be less likely to attack in the first place if they knew they'd face armed resistance.
Passing the bill may seem wise to some, but others say it will be a constant threat.
"I want to know why we need guns," UWT freshman Chris Pyke said. He said that students could protect themselves with perfectly legal weapons, like mace or even a taser if necessary. "Guns on campus would just let there be a way to have some big gun fight on campus," he joked.
Others on campus weren't too worried about it.
"We have security, so I'm not so worried," Bob Fellar, owner of Coco Bob's, said, adding that he's against allowing concealed weapons on campus.
The bill died before session ended.
Most states, Washington included, leave this in the hands of universities. Using the law, most colleges enforce that guns be forbidden on campus. In response to the Virginia Tech shooting last April, which left 33 dead, the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus was formed.
On April 21-25, SCCC protesters made their stand at UW Seattle in support of a bill proposed by Sen. Pam Roach (R-Auburn) that would prohibit state universities from banning concealed-carry guns on campus. In other words, students and faculty would be permitted to carry guns on each UW campus.
Passing the bill, UW Seattle students argued, would ensure their right to the second amendment right to bear arms. They said that guns would allow them to protect themselves in a case of a school shooting, and that people would be less likely to attack in the first place if they knew they'd face armed resistance.
Passing the bill may seem wise to some, but others say it will be a constant threat.
"I want to know why we need guns," UWT freshman Chris Pyke said. He said that students could protect themselves with perfectly legal weapons, like mace or even a taser if necessary. "Guns on campus would just let there be a way to have some big gun fight on campus," he joked.
Others on campus weren't too worried about it.
"We have security, so I'm not so worried," Bob Fellar, owner of Coco Bob's, said, adding that he's against allowing concealed weapons on campus.
The bill died before session ended.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Josiah Narog
posted 6/04/08 @ 8:05 PM PST
I for one strongly agree that those who have passed the state requirements to obtain a Concealed Pistol License should be allowed to carry on campus, just like they can everywhere else in our state without incident. (Continued…)
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