Some Ohio University students are debating the restrictions of the state's Concealed Carry Law in response to an e-mail last week reminding them that the licenses do not extend to universities. There were no incidents that led OU Police Department to distribute the e-mail, said Chief Tony Camechis.
We have community members who join our community every year
and it just seemed like it was pretty timely to get something like that out he said.
Camechis said he has heard no complaints about the e-mail. Casey Baker, vice president of OU's Second Amendment Club, said the policy does not allow students to protect themselves.
I'd rather defend myself if I had to than rely on a police officer that is across campus to stop a crime from happening Baker said. A police officer can't act until a crime has already been committed; they get involved after the fact. If you want to stop a crime from happening before it happens
you need to allow citizens to protect themselves -the city doesn't do that.
The law, passed Jan. 7, is a privilege
not a right
according to Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro's Web site, www.ag.state.oh.us. There are certain restrictions a gun owner must abide by, including not carrying firearms in forbidden carry zones such as police stations, airport terminals, child day-care centers and universities, according to the site. If a firearm is locked in a vehicle or in the process of being locked in a vehicle, it is allowed on university property.
This concerns Kevin Kovach, communications director for the OU College Democrats.
I am very uncomfortable with the fact that you can be walking down the street and anybody can have a gun
Kovach said. Anybody with a grudge to bear
or any thought of retribution on an argument with someone can look up a person's information and find out where they live and their phone number -the thought that somebody can have a gun on top of that on campus is beyond alarming. In the second quarter of 2004, according to the attorney general's Web site, the Athens County Sheriff's Office issued 203 concealed carry licenses. No licenses were revoked or suspended. In order to receive a license, people have the option of six different certification methods, with a total training time of 12 hours, in addition to completed paperwork and other requirements. And, there are more restrictions besides forbidden carry zones.
Baker said not allowing individuals on university property to carry a concealed weapon creates victimization zones.
All the gun law restrictions do is keep law-abiding citizens from using firearms and protecting themselves
he said.
In addition, laws restricting people from carrying firearms on university property will not stop those with ill intent to bring a gun on campus, said Clayton Henson, president of College Republicans. Junior Kelli Eads said she fears that those licensed for concealed carry may not know how to handle a gun properly. And law-abiding citizens can commit crimes in the heat of the moment.
I'd be afraid they'd use them in the wrong context
Eads said. Kids get angry
and bad things could happen if they carry guns.
