Schoolhouse Glock
A Missouri bill would permit concealed weapons on public college campuses
By: Alex Bates
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: News
A recent Missouri House bill that allows licensed concealed weapon carriers to carry concealed guns on public college and university campuses has Webster University students and faculty in a disagreement. The bill passed 105-50 in the House April 8, the two-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy. If passed by the Missouri Senate, the bill would change the age requirement from 23 to 21 for concealed carry and add public institutions of higher education to the list of places concealed carry is allowed.
Although the bill would not affect WU because it is not a public institution, students and faculty expressed concern.
"A college campus is not the place for guns because you don't know when someone's going to react in the wrong way and pull out a gun," said Ralph Olliges, associate professor of the multidisciplinary studies department and MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) education technology coordinator.
Republican Rep. Brian Munzlinger of Williamstown, Mo., sponsored the bill because he said it would deter gunmen from targeting college campuses. Criminals tend to strike soft targets, or gun-free zones, such as higher education facilities, Munzlinger said.
Olliges and others disagree. Olliges cited the Kirkwood shootings and the Virginia Tech tragedy to back his reasoning.
"In Kirkwood, the individual had a run-in with the city council," Olliges said. "He targeted them not because they were gun-free but because of a disagreement with the city council. I know there have been incidents on some college campuses, and those are very unfortunate. I don't want to see those happen again, but those are a few misguided individuals."
Drew Dillman, a senior film production major, said the Virginia Tech tragedy is an example of why concealed guns should be allowed on campuses.
"If one of those people (at Virginia Tech) were allowed to have their gun with them the outcome would have been completely different," Dillman said. "If there's a shooting at Webster University, Public Safety doesn't have weapons. We're going to have to wait for the police to respond, and by that time dozens of people could be killed."
Although the bill would not affect WU because it is not a public institution, students and faculty expressed concern.
"A college campus is not the place for guns because you don't know when someone's going to react in the wrong way and pull out a gun," said Ralph Olliges, associate professor of the multidisciplinary studies department and MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) education technology coordinator.
Republican Rep. Brian Munzlinger of Williamstown, Mo., sponsored the bill because he said it would deter gunmen from targeting college campuses. Criminals tend to strike soft targets, or gun-free zones, such as higher education facilities, Munzlinger said.
Olliges and others disagree. Olliges cited the Kirkwood shootings and the Virginia Tech tragedy to back his reasoning.
"In Kirkwood, the individual had a run-in with the city council," Olliges said. "He targeted them not because they were gun-free but because of a disagreement with the city council. I know there have been incidents on some college campuses, and those are very unfortunate. I don't want to see those happen again, but those are a few misguided individuals."
Drew Dillman, a senior film production major, said the Virginia Tech tragedy is an example of why concealed guns should be allowed on campuses.
"If one of those people (at Virginia Tech) were allowed to have their gun with them the outcome would have been completely different," Dillman said. "If there's a shooting at Webster University, Public Safety doesn't have weapons. We're going to have to wait for the police to respond, and by that time dozens of people could be killed."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Brad Burgess
posted 8/10/09 @ 9:36 AM CST
It is mournful that we live in an age where students run the risk of being shot at shool or a plane crashing upon them on purpose. This is a world in which our children are considered a "soft target". (Continued…)
Hawaiian Bob
posted 8/17/09 @ 10:10 PM CST
"A college campus is not the place for guns because you don't know when someone's going to react in the wrong way and pull out a gun," said Ralph Olliges, associate professor of the multidisciplinary studies department and MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) education technology coordinator. (Continued…)
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