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By: Andrew Cowan
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Opinion
From Andrew Cowan, senior construction science major
The right to carry on campus is a simple issue of common sense. In the case of the Virginia Tech, a gun free zone did not stop Seung-Hui Cho from killing 32 individuals, neither did the campus police. Which is a better deterrent for crime, an inanimate sign or the chance of someone fighting back? As brave and determined as the campus police are they can not be everywhere at every time. Everyone is ultimately responsible for their own safety in a time of crisis. Some choose to take a class, register and carry a gun, others choose not to. This is a personal decision, however even those who choose not to carry a gun will be safer on campus if even a few choose to exercise their right to carry. It would have only taken one person to stop Cho's deadly rampage, possibly saving all of the 32 individuals. One must remember the passage of this bill does not allow everyone to carry a gun, only those qualified, over the age of 21, who pass a background check. This would not create a vigilante society, it would ensure that there are individuals determined to protect themselves and others on campus, with the tools to do so.
The right to carry on campus is a simple issue of common sense. In the case of the Virginia Tech, a gun free zone did not stop Seung-Hui Cho from killing 32 individuals, neither did the campus police. Which is a better deterrent for crime, an inanimate sign or the chance of someone fighting back? As brave and determined as the campus police are they can not be everywhere at every time. Everyone is ultimately responsible for their own safety in a time of crisis. Some choose to take a class, register and carry a gun, others choose not to. This is a personal decision, however even those who choose not to carry a gun will be safer on campus if even a few choose to exercise their right to carry. It would have only taken one person to stop Cho's deadly rampage, possibly saving all of the 32 individuals. One must remember the passage of this bill does not allow everyone to carry a gun, only those qualified, over the age of 21, who pass a background check. This would not create a vigilante society, it would ensure that there are individuals determined to protect themselves and others on campus, with the tools to do so.
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