Texas State University - PART TWO

[Snake Doctor]

So... The University Star (school paper) has their website under construction, and while I'd like to copy the article that prompted this letter to the editor, I just don't have time. In a nutshell, it was a an article getting students thoughts on CHLs being allowed on campus. I'm sending this to the Star editor as soon as I can get some feedback from you all on how I can improve the letter. So... critique away.

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Dear Editor,

I enjoyed reading Scott Thomas' article about Texas State students and the laws surrounding concealed handgun licenses, or CHLs. My concern, however, is that many of the students who oppose allowing CHLs on campus, and perhaps even those who simply expressed concern, may not be seeing the whole picture. A word like ignorance can carry a negative connotation, but that may be the only way to appropriately describe much of the opposition to the campus ban on CHLs.

First off, I must point out that while the law does prohibit a CHL holder from carrying onto the premises of an educational institution, such ordinances may be waived by the institution itself. Thomas either gathered his knowledge on the current law through hearsay rather than the actual verbiage, or, he chose to omit certain parts of Section §46.03(a)(1), Texas Penal Code, which clearly states that one cannot carry a weapon on to school property " unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution".

Scott Lewis really drove it home when he was quoted as saying, "The only people you're disarming are the good guys". I staunchly agree with this assessment. A CHL holder's right to carry should not be infringed in the first place, but to add in the age old claim that guns are not allowed on campus as to provide us with a safe environment is nothing short of insulting. Universities provide no assurance that the student sitting next to you in class is not carrying a gun, or any illegal item, for that matter. Need we look back on the tragedy at Virginia Tech and the dozens of other similar instances where "gun free" zones were taken advantage of for the murders of innocent lives? Why do we trust college students with CHLs to carry firearms to almost every other place in Texas yet disarm them in an environment where they will spend most of their day?

Another segment of the article quoted concerns of "students' maturity and judgment", as well as the "creep[y]" feeling it would give some to know that their fellow students may carrying guns. It is important to remember that the people disarming before coming to campus are the "good guys"; the ones following the law. Do you think criminals will be deterred by signs that read "GUN FREE ZONE"? Of course not. Rather, they will be encouraged to bring a gun into a school building, knowing that they will face little or no opposition.

Lastly, remember that those supporting the the repeal of the CHL ban are in no way trying to arm more students or to fill the campus with guns. We ask only that the University respect the hours of classroom and range training we have gone through. We ask that they acknowledge the state and federal background checks we have openly submitted to. We ask that they understand that someone with ill intent would not have spent hundreds of dollars on training, licensing and fingerprinting. We simply ask that the University give us the same amount of trust we receive from every form of Texas law enforcement. They don't deny us our right to defend ourselves. Why do you?

[seamusTX]

Good letter. You might want to add that CHL holders have an excellent safety record. I don't know of a Texas CHL holder ever shooting the wrong person in a self-defense situation, much less "going nuts."

About 5 to 10 CHL holders a year are convicted of violent felonies, out of about 250,000 licensees. You don't have to mention that, but it compares favorably with the number of peace officers convicted, or almost any profession.

- Jim

[Supercat]

I might add some references to crimes with guns compared to times they are used in defense.

[Venus Pax]

Looks good.

[TexAg08]

Actually you can carry on school campuses as long as you do not enter the buildings. Look up "premises" in the penal code.

[seamusTX]

Actually you can carry on school campuses as long as you do not enter the buildings.

True, but that doesn't help people who have to enter the buildings to attend or teach classes, etc.

Most campus rampages take place in classroom buildings or dormitories. Charles Whitman is the only exception that I recall.

- Jim

[TexAg08]

Very true. I just did not want him sending false information to a newspaper. Most people dont know that we can carry on campuses as long as we dont enter buildings.

[Snake Doctor]

Very true. I just did not want him sending false information to a newspaper. Most people dont know that we can carry on campuses as long as we dont enter buildings.

I don't want to start a tangent, but... The thing to remember is that we're pushing for full rights on campus. If you maintain that we can carry outside the buildings, in the "quad", etc., and you're school has a no-gun policy like Texas State, you're putting yourself in a BAD spot. The only thing worse than a criminal offense over where I carry my gun would be a school offense. Suspension or expulsion could ruin my college career and, ultimately, my life.

[lrb111]

Looks like it covers the bases well.

[frankie_the_yankee]

I might add some references to crimes with guns compared to times they are used in defense.

Yes. A reference to the DPS website and the published statistics establishing that TX CHL's are much more law-abiding than the general population would be a strong counter to the ignorant yet oft stated idea that students with CHL's may be "irresponsible" and present a danger to the campus.

[mikeloc]

Good post Alan. You gave me info on a new range in the area and website info on a good friend.

Mike

[Snake Doctor]

Good post Alan. You gave me info on a new range in the area and website info on a good friend.

Mike

???

[seamusTX]

I think Mikeloc's reply was supposed to be in the thread about AEA's renewal.

We now return to our regulargly scheduled programming.

- Jim

[McKnife]

We appreciate your effort, bud... but after submitting half a dozen of letters to the editors myself, none were printed.

Just like NY Times or Houston Chronicle, they choose to censor anything that makes sense.

[Photoman]

Suspension or expulsion could ruin my college career and, ultimately, my life.

Let me guess. You're getting a degree in drama?