Students protest Ohio gun laws
Group argues licensed individuals' right to carry weapons at universities
Ann Koblenzer
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Campus
Fourteen Miami University students began the day Monday by wearing empty gun holsters to class and will do so for the rest of the week.
The students are part of a nationwide organization, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, and are protesting for concealed carry laws on college campuses across the country. They have organized through their Web site, ConcealedCarry.org, and Facebook.com groups. Participating in this protest are more than 460 students nationwide at more than 100 universities, according to senior Stephen Feltoon, the organizer of the protest at Miami.
Although Ohio legislation makes it illegal to carry concealed weapons on college campuses, Feltoon said these students want to symbolize that citizens with concealed carry licenses are reduced to empty holsters once they reach campus. The protest will last throughout the week in an attempt to raise students' awareness about this issue. According to the Attorney General Web site the most recent update went into effect March 17.
"We want people to come up and ask questions … It gives us a chance to educate them about current laws and our viewpoints," Feltoon said.
He added that the group wants to change the state laws that prohibit concealed carry on college campuses, arguing that educated people with concealed weapons could have saved lives during the shooting at Virginia Polytechnic University.
"We think one person at the right place at the right time could have lessened or eliminated the body count," Feltoon said.
University Provost Jeffery Herbst said this claim cannot be verified.
"I know of no law enforcement agency or official who has made that argument," he said. "Given that no one cares more about reducing crime than our law enforcement officials, I think they would say something if there was an argument to be made for that."
The Miami University Police Department (MUPD) conducts a yearly survey of a representative sample of students and the response is that most people feel safe on campus, according to MUPD Lieutenant Andrew Powers.
The students are part of a nationwide organization, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, and are protesting for concealed carry laws on college campuses across the country. They have organized through their Web site, ConcealedCarry.org, and Facebook.com groups. Participating in this protest are more than 460 students nationwide at more than 100 universities, according to senior Stephen Feltoon, the organizer of the protest at Miami.
Although Ohio legislation makes it illegal to carry concealed weapons on college campuses, Feltoon said these students want to symbolize that citizens with concealed carry licenses are reduced to empty holsters once they reach campus. The protest will last throughout the week in an attempt to raise students' awareness about this issue. According to the Attorney General Web site the most recent update went into effect March 17.
"We want people to come up and ask questions … It gives us a chance to educate them about current laws and our viewpoints," Feltoon said.
He added that the group wants to change the state laws that prohibit concealed carry on college campuses, arguing that educated people with concealed weapons could have saved lives during the shooting at Virginia Polytechnic University.
"We think one person at the right place at the right time could have lessened or eliminated the body count," Feltoon said.
University Provost Jeffery Herbst said this claim cannot be verified.
"I know of no law enforcement agency or official who has made that argument," he said. "Given that no one cares more about reducing crime than our law enforcement officials, I think they would say something if there was an argument to be made for that."
The Miami University Police Department (MUPD) conducts a yearly survey of a representative sample of students and the response is that most people feel safe on campus, according to MUPD Lieutenant Andrew Powers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Ron Payne
posted 10/24/07 @ 8:06 PM EST
I agree that lawful concealed carry should be permitted on any college campus. These are constitutional RIGHTS and not subject to permission from an academic "Board". (Continued…)
Matthew
posted 10/24/07 @ 9:03 PM EST
The web site is not up yet.
As far as the comments from the dean. The police will not generally promote open or concealed carry... because the official attitude is that less guns and less positive news about guns = less gun violence. (Continued…)
Kay Stoen
posted 10/24/07 @ 10:05 PM EST
I applaud the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. I hope they wake some people up. I agree with Ron Payne that carrying a firearm for self-defense is a constitutional right, and would add: it also is a natural right which predates the Constitution. (Continued…)
Adamm Easley
posted 10/25/07 @ 3:01 PM EST
I have to agree with Ron Payne. In order to get the CCW permit you have to go through an extensive background check in order to obtain it. I also believe that people know that law abiding citizens are "packing", those who are not carrying legally may think twice about the crime they are about to comit. (Continued…)
Stephen Feltoon
posted 10/25/07 @ 6:14 PM EST
The website in the article is wrong. The correct one is concealedcampus.org
Thank you all for your kind words of support!
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