Arizona's quest to change the caliber of a college education

[jpak]

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110306/WIRE/110309639/1042?Title=Arizona-s-quest-to-change-the-caliber-of-a-college-education

How I wish I could dwell in Arizona, where freedom is locked and loaded. I say this because Arizona lawmakers are seriously floating a bill that would allow college professors and students to bring guns to class.

The measure seems good to go. The gun lobby wants it, Republican legislative leaders want it, and Arizona is Arizona. If this passes, I will be so envious. When I’m not columnizing, I happen to be a college professor — but it appears I will forever teach unarmed, denied the right of rugged individualism.

A guy can dream, though. Creating a classroom atmosphere that blended civil discourse with hair-trigger vigilance would be exciting. Some Arizona skeptics insist guns have no place in academia, but I say there is no good reason why I shouldn’t be able to talk and discuss and consult my notes while also aiming a Glock at the door just in case the next person crossing the threshold might be packing heat with malice aforethought.

A gun would also allow me to better connect with the kids. It’s a drag being seen as an old fogey. On Tuesday — true story — I crossed paths with a favorite student who was bopping along to music emanating from his ear buds. I asked what he was listening to. He shrugged dismissively: “Some techno group. You never heard of ’em.”

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[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. In the several states that ALREADY allow legal guns on campus... it has not been an issue.

Carriers will still have to meet criteria necessary to carry a concealed weapon... not just any student or faculty would be allowed to carry a gun. Universities property is really no different than the rest of public property. :shrug:

[jpak]

2. It most certainly is an issue with faculty and students in states where the GOP is proposing this

They hate education

yup

[GreenStormCloud]

4. Your handwringing is for nothing.

It will pass and nothing will happen.

[jpak]

6. GOP/NRA over-reach. No one wants guns on campus except those assholes

yup

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

5. Define "issue" - If you mean unfounded fears, handwringing, & predicting irratoinal scenarios...

then yes, I suppose there is an "issue". But it only exists in your mind.

For the rest of people who look at states where this is common practice and realize it is not a problem... those of us who recognize that people who legally carry concealed exhibit MUCH lower crime rates... people who realize there is no ideological difference between the property off campus grounds than on capus grounds... no, there is no issue.

Please cite real world examples, scenarios, and statistics before you project your feelings onto us.
Good day, sir.

[jpak]

7. No one wants guns o campus - not students, not faculty - only the GOP & NRA

yup

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

8. I'm sure I could find some students that want it on campus.

Your blanket statement that "no one wants guns on campus" is wrong on principle and easily disproven.

[PavePusher]

18. Dodge. You did not address the issue or the question. n/t

[WatsonT]

10. The horror

like all the other states that have done this and immediately collapsed in to old-west style shootouts 24/7.

[atreides1]

11. There is no criteria in Arizona

Didn't Arizona already pass a law that doesn't require a permit to carry a concealed weapon..and they are currently working on another law that would allow anyone to carry a weapon in to any building where it is currently prohibited.

Now...do you think that's an issue?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

12. Still not an issue. Keep in mind that any information/record that would prohibit a CCW permit...

still prohibits the person from carrying the firearm under the new system. If you were previously unable to obtain a license to carry a handgun... the new system still forbids it. The only thing missing now is a laminated little card.

To summarize, the new AZ carry law doesn't allow anyone/everyone to carry.
The standards and laws are the same... just no little card to tote around.

[RSillsbee]

16. Why would it be?

Let us not rail about justice so long as we have arms and the freedom to use them

[PavePusher]

19. Hasn't been where it is already the law.

Unless you have evidence to the contrary....

[pipoman]

3. The sky, it's falling, it's falling, it's falling!! We've got to tell the King!!!!11!!1!

[WatsonT]

9. I'm starting to think that peole who hold such opinions get all their 'facts'

from movies, and have never actually met a CHL holder or bothered to read up on the statistics of such folks.

[rrneck]

13. Unrec. Drive by word salad dump. nt

[DonP]

14. Pearl restringing done cheaply and quickly

Discounts provided to all pearl clutchers requiring at least three re-stringings per week. Save 30% now.

Remember how you clutched them so hard you broke them when Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota and the other states all went to "shall issue" and so did all those other states? Months and months waiting for the shootings over parking spaces, streets running red with blood etc. And nothing happened except the crime rate dropped ... for lord only knows what reason?

Now more states, maybe even your very own, are going permitless for CCW. More states are also recognizing that civil rights don't end artificially at the campus line.

Think of the stress and strain you'll put on that beautiful old choker grandma left you.

As more states liberalize their old restrictive gun regulations think of the savings you'll realize. Eventually, when nothing really happens, your pearls will be ready for the next 2nd amendment activity that makes you clutch them till they break again.

I'm gonna make a fortune on this!

[RSillsbee]

15. I carried all through college. no blood in the streets

I don't think anyone even knew

[WatsonT]

17. You mean the gun didn't control you

and force you to go on a shooting spree?

That's odd. They usually employee their evil mind-control rays to force owners to become insanely aggressive.

Your gun must have been defective.

[RSillsbee]

20. The Jedi Mind trick does not work on Hutts NT