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.