Texas State Faces Campus Carry Conundrum

By Griselda Benitez

Faculty and students across campus gave their opinions on Campus Carry to be in effect in the fall.

Texas Senate Bill 11 (SB11), referred to as "Campus Carry," will allow people to carry a concealed weapon with a concealed handgun license on public university grounds.

Michael Pearce
Photo by Cameron Goodall 

Students said that Texas State is a safe campus and does not require people to carry weapons because of the security already established.

“We have our police on campus right by The Quad, and they and SMPD tend to respond to the situation pretty fast,” Michael Pearce, business marketing major, said. “On campus cops seem to be doing the job well.”

Rachel Brownlee
Photo by Dylan Anguiano

Rachel Brownlee, human nutrition graduate student, feels unsafe when she thinks of how guns could be handled in an emergency situation.

“Even police, people who are trained and use them on a regular basis, who are supposed to know how to use them, make mistakes,” Brownlee said.

According to students and faculty, the idea of guns being in classrooms does not make them feel safe.

Aron Martinez
Photo by Griselda Benitez

Aron Martinez, English freshman, said he is scared of being in classrooms, especially large lecture classes because anyone can have a gun.

Hakeer Kaymore
Photo by Bailey Savage

“You don’t know what people are capable of,” Martinez said. “You don’t know who has one. The fear level rises.”

Students and faculty said that discussions will change with the addition of guns in the classrooms.

Hakeer Kaymore, business management major, said, “Students in class may feel more scared to speak up because of other people’s reactions.”

Bob Fischer
Photo by Sawyer Stull

Bob Fischer, philosophy professor, said, “I worry about the way that the presence of fire arms changes our ability to have open discussions about uncomfortable topics.”

Dean of the Honors College, Heather C. Galloway, Ph.D., said, “That’s probably my biggest concern. That it might change how we interact with students and how we treat the students.”

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

After interviewing students and faculty it is clear to see that even though the bill is set in place for personal safety, it does not make everyone comfortable.