S.C. considers concealed weapons on campuses

[Idjut]

For your consideration...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/05/16 ... index.html

[bburgi]

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) -- To prevent school shootings, some South Carolina legislators want more guns on campuses.

A House subcommittee approved a measure Wednesday that would allow concealed weapon permit holders to carry guns onto public school campuses, from elementary schools to universities. Supporters say having trained and armed gun owners in schools could prevent massacres like the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech, where one armed student killed 32 people.

Only Utah currently has a law allowing concealed weapons on campuses.

"We're not talking about kids. We're talking about responsible adults," said Republican Rep. Jeff Duncan, who sponsored the bill.

Opponents fear more guns will mean more accidental shootings, and questioned if colleges were an appropriate environment for guns.

"I'm concerned about more guns around younger people combined with emotions and sometimes alcohol," said Rep. Doug Jennings, a Democrat. "I don't think it's a proper reaction to the Virginia Tech tragedy."
It's not about more guns around younger people... it's about people who are already licensed being able to carry to protect themselves and others. This isn't a blanket allowance for anyone to carry a gun around campus.

The bill heads to the House Judiciary Committee, though it is not expected to pass the Legislature before its scheduled adjournment for the year next month. Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, said he hadn't yet thought about the bill.

Nationwide, 37 states ban weapons at schools. Of those, 16 explicitly prohibit weapons on college campuses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

College police chiefs across South Carolina said allowing guns on campuses would make it difficult to pinpoint a criminal. "Today, if we respond, we know the person with the weapon is the bad guy," said Ernest Ellis, the law enforcement director at the University of South Carolina.
Sorry, but unless you can instantly be wherever I am to protect me, I need to be able to protect myself. Oh, and FYI... the bad guy will be the one randomly shooting people, disobeying your commands and generally causing havoc. I will be the one defending myself and others, getting away from harm alive and obeying your commands and authority as an LEO.

To obtain a concealed weapon permit in South Carolina, a resident must be at least 21, undergo at least eight hours of handgun training, and pass criminal and mental background checks.

[AV8R]

"College police chiefs across South Carolina said allowing guns on campuses would make it difficult to pinpoint a criminal. "Today, if we respond, we know the person with the weapon is the bad guy," said Ernest Ellis, the law enforcement director at the University of South Carolina. "

In Utah, the bad guy will be the person on the ground that everyone is crowding around to get a good look at.

[hi-power]

In Utah, the bad guy will be the person on the ground that everyone is crowding around to get a good look at.

Game, set, match!

[TX Rancher]

"College police chiefs across South Carolina said allowing guns on campuses would make it difficult to pinpoint a criminal. "Today, if we respond, we know the person with the weapon is the bad guy," said Ernest Ellis, the law enforcement director at the University of South Carolina. "

In Utah, the bad guy will be the person on the ground that everyone is crowding around to get a good look at.

I like it! Great one liner that paints a nice visual image...Have you copyrighted it, or can I use it