Texas State University Allows for Campus Carry

By Corey Rowland

Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, which is home to roughly 35,000 students, has made the decision to allow campus carry of a weapon legal as of August 1, 2016 and it has caused quite the dilemma.

By Corey Rowland

Texas State University will allow anyone who meets the requirements to obtain a concealed handgun license to openly carry a weapon on campus. Some students aren’t too thrilled with the situation. 

Not only does this new law affect the students of Texas State, but the faculty and University police department as well. One student feels that we should already feel safe without this new law in place.

 “I oppose carry on campus because this is a place of education, and we already have the measures that we need to feel safe as it is,“ Texas State University student Taylor Cavin said.

Although this is a place of education, that still does not change the fact that people do get robbed on the Texas State campus, whether this is a place of education or not.

“Well, the campus is increasing its University police department staff due to the passing of this,” Cavin said. “Why would they need to do that if we are safer?”

With that being said, it does raise concern for the need to expand the force of Texas States University’s police officers. It would make more sense to some to even lower the amount of officers that are on the campus, if the whole point of the campus carry law is to make people safer.

 “I feel that the campus atmosphere was safe enough as it was, and now I myself as well as my friends feel that campus will be more dangerous,” Cavin said.

Some teachers even feel that the idea of campus carry is not a great idea. Terry Bertling, Texas State University professor for example, is someone who opposes the law and wishes public universities had the same regulations as private universities on the matter.

 “I think it’s kind of nice that private universities get to opt out,” Bertling said. “As someone who teaches, I’d rather not have students who carry.”

Bertling has a similar opinion as Texas State University student Taylor Cavin.

“It doesn’t create a good environment for learning,” Bertling said. “I wish they would change the law so public universities could opt out as well."

Although most people seemed to be against the campus carry law, there were some who were either for it or neutral about it.

“In a way I kind of support it because 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 to react,” Texas State University student Kristen Courtney said.

By Gabrielle Gibson

If there happens to be an issue the requires protection from a campus carry weapon, then that would most likely be the fastest reaction towards defending yourself or someone else in need. Although police officers do protect people in danger, they cannot always get to the scene as fast as needed.

Some students believe in allowing campus carry strictly because it is part of our rights as Americans.

 “I am for it partially but just because it’s a constitutional right under the 2^nd amendment,” Texas State University student Jesse Miara said.

Students and faculty of Texas State University both have their reasoning on whether or not the campus carry law should or should not go into effect. Whether that reason is safety or even their right as a citizen, everyone has different views. If they choose to not be in favor it won’t really make a difference due to the fact that the law has already passed.