Campus carry erases the “target,” prevents tragedy in the future
It’s finally happening, gun rights advocates should be celebrating being victories like these are huge. Not only are more people finally realizing that gun-free-zones are death zones and easy targets, but legally things are underway.
Alaska, we always believed in you!
NRA-ILA reports that SB 174 “would allow students, faculty and guests to own, possess, carry, transport or store a firearm on areas of the University of Alaska campus where not prohibited by law.” The bill is designed to limit the University of Alaska Board of Regent’s ability to bar concealed license holders from carrying guns with which to defend themselves and others.
SB 174 is premised on the understanding that “a state-funded institution should not be allowed to impose rules more strict than state law, especially rules to limit one’s right to self-defense.”
Eight states currently have laws very similar to SB 174. Those eight are Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Texas, and Kansas (the law takes effect in TX August 2016 and takes effect in Kansas July 1, 2017). Campus carry legislation similar to that being considered in Alaska has already passed the Georgia House and will get a Senate vote by March 24.
Laws in 23 other states — including Alaska, at present — give university systems in their states the prerogative to allow or disallow campus carry as they see fit. The National Conference of State Legislatures lists those 23 as “Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.”
Georgia, we’re rooting for you.
Georgia lawmakers moved one step closer to allowing licensed gun owners to carry concealed weapons on public college campuses, as some other states have done, when the proposal supported by the National Rifle Association won support from a Senate panel Monday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee backed the measure permitting those with concealed weapons licenses to bring their guns onto university and college property. The bill could reach the Senate floor this week for a vote.
The Georgia House already has approved the bill. If it passes the Senate without changes, the measure would go to Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, who has voiced support for the concept.
Critics called it a dangerous bill, but a co-sponsor, Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Canton, said supporters believe it boosts the safety of college students around the state.
“There is a lot of anger and a lot of fear, but I feel like we are more about empowering students to be able to take responsibility for their personal safety,” she said.
Hopefully Georgia will pass the bill. It’s as simple as eliminating themselves from the target list of a mass shooter.
A Crime Prevention Research report showed that 92% of mass shootings since 2002 have happened in gun-free-zones. Cowards choose places where they know their victims cannot defend themselves.
