This is the Real Deal

1)What is your opinion on concealed weapons being allowed on college campuses? Would you mind if students in your class were carrying guns? How do your personal background and beliefs influence your answer

I think that that allowing concealed weapons on college campuses has its pros and cons. I can not say that allowing students to have concealed weapons on campus would be a horrible idea because it could in fact be beneficial to a certain extent. If something severe were to ever occur at a college campus such as the tragic Virginia Tech massacre, the student or students would be more prepared in this kind of scenario. These students/faculty could potentially decrease the amount of victims that do get injured by using their weapons at the appropriate times. Although, I must admit that I wouldn’t feel so comfortable with having my fellow classmates carry guns around. Even though I am an indigenous American my father was from Palestine. In Palestine there is not a single soul that doesn’t carry concealed weapons on them, and that is why you never know what you could encounter. It is a scary feeling of everlasting fear and apprehension that I’d like to avoid if I can.

2) If guns were allowed on the George Mason campus, what criteria would you want met before the student would be allowed to carry a gun?

I would want an extensive background check on everyone. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony or has a record of misdemeanor should not be permitted to carry a concealed weapon and not even allowed to apply for one. I think anyone responsible college student with a clean record should be eligible to “apply” for a weapon.

3. Using the materials I have provided, what are the strongest arguments in favor of concealed carry weapons on campus? The weakest? Cite specific examples.

I think the strongest argument in favor of concealed carry weapons on campus is David Seelly’s testimony. David graduated from University of Utah and use to carry a concealed weapon on him. He said: "And not just shootings, but [serial killer] Ted Bundy did some of his crimes at the University of Utah campus". (Utah Students Hide Guns, Head to Class). This shows the fear that these students are living in. It also demonstrates how these students have no means of protecting themselves and it frightens them.

The weakest argument in favor of concealed carry weapons on campus would be Casey Matheny’s statement, "I would just keep [them] in my car for target shooting." (Utah Students Hide Guns, Head to Class). If Casey keeps his guns in his car what good would that do in protecting him or his classmates? He would never have the time to run out of class and quickly go to his car and get his gun if somebody bombarded his classroom. By that time God knows how many students would have been dead already. It doesn’t make sense to keep the gun in the car. Either you have it on you at all times so you can be prepared for worst case scenarios or you don’t carry one at all.

4. What are the strongest arguments in favor of prohibiting concealed carry weapons on campus? The weakest? Cite specific examples from your own research.

The strongest argument in favor of prohibiting concealed carry weapons on campus in my opinion is one of the students testimony. She says: “"I feel less safe knowing that a stranger sitting beside me in class may have a gun in his or her backpack” (Utah Students Hide Guns, Head to Class). This shows that students are going to live in fear no matter what the case is. If they get to carry concealed weapons on campus they are still scared of what others will do. If they don’t have any means of protecting themselves they are still scared.

The weakest argument in favor of prohibiting concealed carry weapons on campus in my opinion would have to be Amanda Covington statement, “We are worried that it may affect their [students' and teachers'] willingness or desire to go to or teach a class on campus," (Utah Students Hide Guns, Head to Class). Although Amanda makes a valid point I think she fails to look at the bigger picture. These teachers are getting paid to teach, and these students are paying to come to school. Whether you decide to show up or not, that is not going to prevent a maniac from putting every student at gun point.

5. Should teachers be allowed to carry, but not students? Why or why not?

No, students and teachers should be allowed. What would happen if the shooter just happened to attack a class right after the teacher stepped out to get a drink or use the bathroom? That is not fair. Everyone should have the right to depend and protect themselves in all cases.6. Do some research on the Second Amendment. What are the predominant interpretations of it? In your answer, note whose interpretation you are referencing (for example, did the interpretation appear on the National Rifle Association website?).
The Second Amendment ambiguously states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” (answers.com). These words have struck substantial controversy concerning the ongoing debate over gun control. Some say that the amendment was meant to protect the rights of states to maintain militia units. Other opponents say that it was intended to protect an individual right. This is the interpretation from answers.com.


7. In making the decision about whether to allow concealed carry weapons on campus, what factors other than the Second Amendment need to be considered? Or, is the Second Amendment sufficient reason to allow students to carry concealed weapons?

Since the Second Amendment tends to be ambiguous in the sense that many people interpret it in their own ways, I think that there she be a “friendly amendment” attached to the Second Amendment clarifying that every individual is entitled to defend themselves at all places and at all times. This way we can put a stop to all the different interpretations and we can stop running into trouble.