Monday's events at VT have affected me very deeply. I was shocked and outraged by the incident. How could this happen on such a large scale? The answer to this question is that only the shooter was armed. Had others been allowed to possess firearms on campus, the death toll might have been less. Recent history shows us that having people on the scene with firearms saves many lives. Just look at the Trolley Square shooting, where an off-duty officer who had his weapon responded and held the gunman at bay until backup could arrive. There is no reason why an armed student would not have been able to do the same. Areas where you legally are not allowed to possess the tools to defend yourself are only good for ensuring the safety of those who intend to do you harm. No, I'm not saying concealed-carry students would be Rambos, forever poised to eliminate danger whenever it comes. But doesn't it make sense to be able to protect yourself until the police arrive?
Andrew Wargo is a graduate student in civil engineering.
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Letter to the Editor
