Concealed carry on campus is expected next year for Mizzou
The issue has been brought up for the last three years in Missouri
According to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri colleges should expect to have concealed carry on state campuses within the next year.
This is due to the Republican super majority in Legislature, along with a new Missouri Republican governor.
The issue of concealed carry has been relevant for at least the last three years in the state of the Missouri. However, it’s been a hot topic of debate for not only officials, but students, teachers and administrators across the nation, especially in 2016 with the unfortunate amount of terrorist attacks, both domestic and abroad.
Some people believe that allowing concealed weapons on campus will lead to several benefits, such as tackling the increasing number of violent crimes and sexual assault incidences on campus.
Not to mention allowing this push towards concealed weapons on campus will allow citizens the right to the second amendment, to the likes of many republicans.
“In my opinion, since this is a publicly funded institution of higher learning that accepts public money, it is obligated to abide by public policies,” Mizzou freshman John D’arcy said.
“All MU students who believe they can conceal and carry responsibly should have the opportunity to do such. We have seen senseless violence unfold at Virginia Tech, Lone Star College, Umpqua Community College, and Ohio State.
“These tragic events might have ended differently if the practice of conceal and carry was more prominent on these campuses.”
D’arcy’s roommate Maxx Cook also believes conceal and carry should be allowed on campus, he told The Tab” “From the studies I’ve seen, conceal and carry does not increase violence but has been correlated with lower crime rates and higher instances of citizens stopping major crimes, like rapes and shootings.
“I think it’s legally sound and practical to allow conceal and carry on campus for law-abiding citizens that qualify for it.”
Mizzou freshman Dalton Burge also feels he would be safer with conceal and carry on campus, he said:”I think I would feel personally safer knowing I could defend myself if something happened.”
But not everyone is supporting the idea, others argue that allowing concealed weapons on campus isn’t a good idea.
Mizzou freshman Paige Stortz told The Tab:”Personally, I support gun control so that legislation would go against what I believe in and support.
“I don’t see the need for it and I see it causing more harm than anything.”
People who agree with this side have been especially vocal lately, in lieu of the Ohio State attack yesterday, in which an eighteen year old of Somali descent started attacking pedestrians with a butcher knife. An officer was on the scene in less than a minute, and fatally shot the attacker soon after, according to CNN.
For example, frustrations with the lack of current protections regarding gun carriers can also be seen on Social Media. Jacqueline Conrad tweeted, “In MO you need a permit to park on Mizzou’s campus, but NOT to carry a concealed weapon to the football game. #RIDICULOUS”
Mizzou student Ellie Hicks also thinks concealed carry on campus is dangerous. “I could see having concealed carry on campus as maybe having a more harmful effect than good,” she said.
Whatever side you may agree with, other figures such as Ryan DeBoef, the chief of staff to the president at Missouri State University, said it’s too soon to speculate about what bill could be presented in the 2017 session.
So until then, we’ll have to wait.