Guns don’t protect, people do

Once again, one of TCC’s most talked about subjects from the last few semesters has reared its head in the state Legislature. The bill to allow concealed carry of handguns on campuses may be passed this session.

The Collegian is saying no to the possibility of creating classroom vigilantes. With so many lives and so many liabilities, this is a bill that should be turned down again.

It’s easy to see the “need for defense” side of this argument, where some say they would prefer to bear arms and save the lives of others around them by pulling a gun on a possible campus shooter if police couldn’t respond quickly enough.

But the argument isn’t strong enough to stop some students from being scared to come to class — knowing someone could be carrying a weapon.

Those against the bill argue allowing those to carry guns on campus would just give permission for someone unstable to carry, but others say someone who is going to act, will do it anyway.

However, this is why we have a police force. This is why we have programs set up to help those who are struggling. Students and faculty don’t need to take matters into their own hands if someone is already there to help.

If everyone carried a concealed weapon, there would be no point in having a force specifically trained to protect the lives in a community.

Concealed carry could cause a delay in the warning system because students and faculty won’t know whether that person is mentally capable to carry a gun. Yes, there is training for concealed carry, but someone unstable could always fall through the cracks.

The saying goes, “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” All it takes is one person with a gun to act impulsively on a campus, and many lives would be in danger.

We may live in Texas, but this is not the Old West. Not everyone should have the option of concealed carry, especially in a learning institution.

The main focus of college is to gain a higher education in a protected area that will help us succeed. TCC has the means, the programs and the security resources to keep us that way. Concealed carry would be a threat against this and a distraction in the classroom.

This is a bill that could be taken advantage of on various levels. The minute someone unstable with a concealed weapon acts on this bill — if it passes — the point to protect us would go out the window.

State legislators must examine all sides as if there are lives at stake because that’s ultimately the case.  Concealed weapons on campus could prevent chaos, but it also could create chaos.

Tell your legislator to vote no.

Keep us protected.