Support and Opposition Loom Over the Topic of Campus Carry Among the Students and Faculty at Texas State University

By Morgan Mitchell

Students and faculty of Texas State University spoke out about their concerns regarding the new Senate Bill 11.

August 1, 2016 will not only be a day of remembrance, marking the 50^th anniversary of the mass shooting at the University of Texas, but it will also be the day that Senate Bill 11 takes effect.

Senate Bill 11 states that any licensed person may carry a concealed gun with them on the campus property. This includes classrooms, dorms, and other common areas on campus.

Melanie Bush
Photo by Erik Rodriguez

Texas State University, as well as other higher education facilities, has held several forums and meetings to discuss concerns over the matter. The opinions seemed to have been evenly split between opposition and support; some with great arguments in support of the law.

Melanie Bush, a student at Texas State University was in favor of the law particularly for women on campus who might have late night classes.

“With the assaults that happen late at night on campus,” Bush said. “I understand [wanting to carry].”

Carlos Flores
Photo by Annalise Hughes

Many, however, feel that that is not a good enough argument. Carlos Flores, an English major at Texas State University argued against the law.

“I feel that the excuse of needing weapons to protect ourselves is a poor argument,” Flores said.

Jesse Miara
Photo by Clayton Kilavo

Jesse Miara, a Computer Science major at Texas State University, believed that this law is simply allowing individuals to exercise their right as set forth by the Second Amendment.

“I am for it partially, but just because it’s a constitutional right under the Second Amendment,” Miara said.

Heather C. Galloway
Photo by Ron Silva

While exercising their right to bear arms, the Dean of the Honors College, Heather C. Galloway, believes that the First Amendment will be diminished for others.

“I guess the one big concern I have is that supposedly other universities that have enacted Campus Carry are encouraging their faculty to avoid discussing controversial topics,” Galloway said.

Terry Bertling
Photo by Morgan Mitchell

Terry Bertling, an adjunct lecturer and journalist for the San Antonio Express News, is also against the law. Bertling would much rather not allow students to carry.

“It doesn’t create a good environment for learning,” Bertling said.

Kristen Courtney
Photo by Rebecca

Still, there are students who believe that Campus Carry will make the campus much safer. Kristen Courtney, a biology student at Texas State is in support of the law.

“If a school shooter were to come by, it would be a lot faster for a student to react than have somebody having to come all the way over here and react,” Courtney said. 

Campus Carry: An Ongoing Debate

Story by, Logan Martin

Senate Bill 11 goes into effect August 1st, 2016. The bill will make legal the carrying of handguns on campus come Fall semester.

Alex Molinaro

Photo by: Logan Martin

20-year-old Sophomore Political Science Major Alex Molinaro feels opposed to the implementation of Campus Carry saying that the university is a place where guns are not welcome.

"Anyone could put a backpack on, come to campus and appear as a student," Molinaro said. "I can't tell who is a student and who is not."

Taylor Cavin

Photo by: Corey Roland

Molinaro is not alone in his concern, Junior Education Major Taylor Cavin feels that the campus will become less safe as a result of the new law.

"This is a place of education," Cavin said. "We already have the measures that we need to feel safe as it is." 

Keisha Ray

Photo by: Katherine Huerta

Professor Keisha Ray of the University of Texas at Houston said that students would be hindered in the classroom as a result of the new policy.

"I oppose it coming out of it from an instructor's point of view," Ray said. "It may be intimidating for students to talk about certain subjects if they know that their classmates have a weapon."

The Texas Tribune affirms Ray's comments and says that most campus student government associations agree guns would make campuses less safe.

Despite the chronic backlash against the implementation of Campus Carry, several students agree with its application to campus life.  

Jesse Miara

Photo by: Clayton Kolavo

22-year-old Computer Science Major Jesse Miara says that the Constitution protects an individual's rights to carry a weapon on campus.

"I don't think there is a need but I feel that it is a right that deserves to be exercised," Miara said.

Kristen Courtney

photo by: Rebecca Mendoza

18-year-old Freshman Biology Major Kristen Courtney said that the response time in confronting a shooter would be much faster than relying on campus police to reach the suspect.

Campus Carry will become a reality beginning in August of this year and anyone with questions or concerns should contact the Texas State University Police Department at

512-245-2805. 

Concealed Handguns on Campus

Texas State Students voice their opinions about the new Campus Carry policy. 

Texas Legislator passed SB 11, or Campus Carry, last year. Students, over 21 years-old, will be able to carry concealed weapons on Texas college campuses. 

Each College or University are allowed to set up some regulations about where individuals can and can't carry their concealed handguns. Texas State has a website that students can view the universities policy.

There seems to be a broad range of feelings when it comes to the Campus Carry policy among students. Some students think it's necessary for their second amendment right while others are worried more about their safety.

Alex Molina
Photo by Logan Martin

Alex Molina, 19-years-old, `and a sophomore, strongly opposes the Campus Carry policy and feels that his safety is now in jeopardy. 

"I don't know the mind set of a student carrying a gun," Molina said. "This is a place of education, we don't welcome guns here."

Arte Vega

Photo by Gabrielle Gibson

There are students that are in favor of the bill being passed. Arte  Vega, a 19-year-old sophomore, thinks that the bill is fair even   though he is not eligible to open carry on campus. 

"Because of the second amendment," Vega said. "The right to bear arms."

Texas Tribute highlights the stress if might put on students. Some student might be less inclined to go to class. 

Rachel Brownlee, a 27-year-old graduate student, is against the policy and worries how the younger student will handle this situation. 

Rachel Brownlee
Photo by Dylan Anguiano

"College is very stressful and on one hand students are able to explore new ways to be in a relationship with other people, new freedom, power over their own life," Brownlee said. "They're in this stressful situation that can make people do crazy things."

Not only student have voiced their opinions, but Professors are weighing in on the controversial issue.  

Heather C. Galloway, Ph.D.
Photo by Ron Silva

Heather C. Galloway, Ph.D., 49, is the Dean of the Honors College on campus. Galloway doesn't think this policy is the right choice to better the college environment.

"That’s probably my biggest concern is that it might change how we interact with students and how we treat the students,” Galloway said.

A philosophy Professor Bob Fischer worries that the class atmosphere will change thanks to open carry. Similar to Galloway's opinion, he doesn't think it's important for students to carry while on campus. 

Bob Fischer
Photo by Sawyer Stull

"I worry about the impact on classroom discussion, I worry about the way that the presence of fire arms changes our ability to have open discussions about uncomfortable topics," Fischer said.

Melanie Bush
Photo by Erik Rodriguez

Melanie Bush, 23 and Texas State student, thinks the campus carry isn't entirely necessary. Bush understands why people would want a gun for protection or just exercising their second amendment right.

"As someone who knows how to use a gun, I don’t care if someone else has a gun as long as they don’t use it in a negative way or try to hurt anyone because of their right to carry that gun...," Bush said.

The University Star expands from the University to the city of San Marcos and how they will respond to the policy going into effect. Business, where there is substantial college student traffic have banned, concealed handguns on their premises.

With Campus Carry going into effect August 1^st of 2016, the Universities faculty and student are preparing themselves.

The Campus Talks Campus Carry

By: Cameron Goodall

The debate over campus carry has been going on for years, but as of August 1, 2016, Texas State University will allow those with a concealed handgun license to carry their weapons on campus. Students recently voiced their opinions, and they had a lot to say.

Michael Pearce
Photo By: Cameron Goodall

The new law, with the official title being Texas Senate Bill 11, will allow people who are traveling on campus to conceal a weapon on their person, as long as they have the proper license to do so. Some students voiced their opinions but, not all of them were in agreement with each other.

Aron Martinez
Photo By: Griselda Benitez

Concerns about personal safety seemed to be a lingering issue with Michael Pearce, a sophomore at the university. "I'm against it, because I feel like you're not going to ask everyone on campus, 'Hey, do you have your license for that gun?' so it kind of scares me," Pearce said.

Aron Martinez, a freshman at Texas State  shared a similar concern for the safety of people on campus, due to the anonymity of who could and could not be legally carrying a weapon onto campus. Martinez said, "It is scary being in big classrooms and not knowing who has a gun."

Melanie Bush
Photo By: Erik Rodriguez

On the opposite end of the spectrum, other students expressed opinions in favor of the new S.B. No. 11, with insight as to how it could actually help benefit anyone who finds themselves wandering the campus. "The only part of campus carry that I support is mostly for women late at night," Melanie Bush, a student at Texas State University said.

Arte Vega
Photo By: Gabrielle Gibson

Arte Vega, a computer science major spoke out about his support of the bill, not simply
for protection reasons, but, "Of course, the Second Ammendment, the right to bear arms."

Keisha Ray
Photo By: Katherine Huerta

Some faculty even had some words to say about the effects that the presence of weapons on campus may have in the classroom setting. Professor at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Keisha Ray discussed how the new law can have certain dangers in the classroom when it comes to having open discussions among the students. "It may be intimidating for students to talk about some topics if they know that their classmates have a weapon," Ray said.

She continued on by suggesting a compromise for the law. The idea was that guns could be allowed in certain areas around campus as opposed to being able to be concealed anywhere and everywhere the individual chooses.

Bob Fischer
Photo By: Sawyer Stull

Sharing similar concerns as Ray, Bob Fischer, Philosophy Professor at Texas State University also commented on the impacts of classroom discussion, which is revered by many as a key part of learning in some subjects. "I worry about the way that the presence of fire arms changes our ability to have open discussions about uncomfortable topics," Fischer said. "No, I don't think I'm in support of campus carry."

There was an open forum held on November 18, 2015, where the more people from the public had the chance to speak out about the campus carry law, as reported by The University Star.

Campus Carry and Texas State Coming Together This Fall

By Simone Karaffa

Campus carry is a widely debated topic amongst students, faculty and residents of several communities alike. With recent legislation on campus carry the conversation has gotten heated with a wide variety of opinions.

Many students don’t see the need for guns on a college campus. Since there is already University Police on campus and security. Melanie Bush only agrees with having gun on campus for a certain reason

“The only part of campus carry that I would support is for mostly women late at night,” Bush said. “If you do need to be on campus late at night then I understand (carrying a gun).”

Photo by Erik Rodriguez

Taylor Cavin thinks that the university will be less safe when campus carry takes effect.

"The campus is increasing its UPD staff due to the passing of this," Cavin said. "Why would they need to do that if we are safer?”

Photo By Corey Rowland

Other students simply think that carrying firearms on a college campus is their legal right.

“I support it (campus carry),” Arte Vega said. ““Because of course the second amendment. The right to bear arms.”

Photo By Gabrielle Gibson

Just because a student is for campus carry does not necessarily mean that they will bring a gun to school when the time comes. Jesse Miara does not carry but is for campus carry.

"I don't think there is a need (campus carry) but I just feel that that it's a right that deserves to be exercised," Miara said.

Photo by Clayton Kolavo

Faculty are even weighing in on the subject of campus carry. Bob Fischer is a philosophy professor at Texas State University and he is worried about how teaching is being affected already.

"I worry about the way that the presence of firearms changes our ability to have open discussions about uncomfortable topics," Fischer said.

Photo By Sawyer Stull

Private colleges like Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University have opted out of campus carry. Terry Bertling, an adjunct lecturer at Texas State University, thinks that public universities should have that same ability.

"As someone who teaches, I’d rather not have students who carry," Bertling said. "It doesn’t create a good environment for learning."

Photo By Morgan Mitchell

Campus carry takes effect August 1^st, the fiftieth anniversary of the University of Texas shooting. Gun owners who are licensed to carry and are 21 years of age or older will be allowed to carry a gun on college campus’.

Students and Faculty share their views about the new Campus Carry Law

Students and Faculty share their views about the new Campus Carry Law

By Ron Silva

On Monday, a few students and faculty at Texas State University voiced their opinions about the new Campus Carry law.

On June 1, 2015 Texas Governor, Greg Abbot, signed the Texas Senate Bill 11 (SB11) also known as “Campus Carry” into law. Campus Carry permits a person with a concealed handgun license to carry a handgun on public colleges and university campuses in Texas. 

Heather C. Galloway, Ph.D., Dean of the Honors College said that Campus Carry might change the way faculty and staff interact with their students.

“I guess my biggest concern that I have is supposedly other universities that have enacted Campus Carry are encouraging their faculty to avoid discussing controversial topics,” Galloway said. “The campus environment does not improve by allowing students to legally carry firearms.”

                                                             
                                   Heather C. Galloway, Ph.D., Dean of the Honors College
                                                               Photo by: Ron Silva
 

Bob Fischer, a Philosophy professor at Texas State University also opposes Campus Carry. Fischer is particularly concerned with the issues Campus Carry may present in the classroom.

“I worry about how Campus Carry will impact the classroom discussion,” Fischer said. “I worry about the way that the presence of fire arms will change our ability to have open discussions about uncomfortable topics.”

                                                               
                                                        Bob Fischer Philosophy professor
                                                                Photo by: Sawyer Stull

Alex Molina, Political Science Major at Texas State University said this is a place of education.

“This is a place of education. We don’t welcome guns here,” Molina said. “If you want to go to a gun range, then that’s cool because that is a place that guns are welcome…not where we want to learn.”

                                                   
                                                                    Alex Molina
                                                            Photo by: Logan Martin

Business Administration Major, E.J. Garza said he is concerned for his safety. “I feel like a gun could land in the hands of the wrong person,” Garza said. “Things can happen in a split second.”

Terry Bertling an adjunct lecturer believes that students carry handguns on campus does not create a good learning environment.                                                           

As someone who teaches, I would rather not have students in my class who carry,” Bertling said. “It does not create a good environment for learning.”

                                                                      Terry Bertling
                                                           Photo by: Morgan Mitchell

Keisha Ray, a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, said she opposes the new law. 

“I think it may be less safe,” Ray said. “The law will cause students to feel intimidated and not want to share their opinions on controversial subjects if they know that classmates have a weapon.
                   

                                                                         Keisha Ray
                                                             Photo By: Katherine Huerta