Can we discuss this?

amidavey06 · January 2011

Because I'm at a loss for words.....

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ? A state senator is proposing several bills to expand gun rights in Oklahoma, including a measure to allow any adult to openly carry a firearm and another to permit concealed handguns on college campuses.

Sen. Steve Russell. Photo by Paul B. Southerland.

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Oklahoma senator wants open carry, firearms on campus

State Sen. Steve Russell, an Iraq War veteran and outspoken proponent of gun rights, said Tuesday he's optimistic both measures will receive bipartisan support in the GOP-controlled Legislature. An open carry bill passed the Legislature last year, but was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Brad Henry. But new Republican Gov. Mary Fallin has indicated she supports open carry in Oklahoma. Russell's plan to allow concealed guns on campus is expected to draw bitter opposition from university officials. Chancellor of Higher Education Glen Johnson recently told lawmakers that all 25 public college and university presidents oppose the idea.

Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-senator-wants-open-carry-firearms-on-campus/article/3535318#ixzz1C5ZfYNNf

oklagirl · January 2011

I could probably formulate a more academic and coherent argument, but I will just say this:

I work on a college campus. No. A thousand times no.

prettygirl06 · January 2011

I have many issues with our gun laws as they stand. Currently, the United States has some of the most lenient laws within the world... given this we also hold the dubious honor of leading the world in gun violence.

Gun laws should be enforced stronger and stricter, to say that leniency is needed... well adjectives such as "hick", "idiot" and "imbecile" are the only ones that come to mind.

stripesandspots · January 2011

I graduated from college 10 years ago.

Can someone please enlighten me as to why someone would need to be packing while in class?

I am being serious - I just do not get this thought process. Are our college campuses really THAT dangerous?

Steven&Jamie · January 2011

I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,

The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

oklagirl · January 2011

Steven&Jamie:
I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,
The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

Whoa. Do you take it to school with you?

And how is you having yours at the movie theater all that different from someone having one on campus? Both are ridiculous and frightening, in my opinion.

oklagirl · January 2011

stripesandspots:
I graduated from college 10 years ago.

Can someone please enlighten me as to why someone would need to be packing while in class?

I am being serious - I just do not get this thought process. Are our college campuses really THAT dangerous?

Sadly, we have become a society of fear.

I am asked often (by non-co-workers) if I feel safe at work. This probably has something to do with the race of the majority of my students, and it pisses me off. I am perfectly safe. As are most of us ALL THE TIME.

ETA: By "most of us" I mean most of us in America and the rest of the first world countries.

Temp856430000003146 · January 2011

I fully support my right to carry a legal weapon. If someone illegally gets a gun and starts firing on campus, I'm going to be able to protect myself and others around me. I don't understand how people think limiting our gun rights is going to keep criminals from illegally gaining access to weapons.

amanjay · January 2011

Ugh. So most of my students are logical, rational human beings. They're dissapointed in THEMSELVES when I return an exam and they get a bad grade. There's the .05% who blame ME for that, though, and 1% of them are crazy. If they're crazy AND packing, I shudder at the possibilities.

Adding on---I know that some of them could be (illegally) carrying anyway, but I don't want to encourage the behavior.

BoyMom21 · January 2011

I don't think guns should be allowed on college campuses.

I wouldn't be so confident, especially only with a CC license (which I don't have), to carry a gun and think that in a moment of panic I could actually shoot and hit my target. The chances of that are slim. How shitty would I feel if I hit an innocent bystander? Yikes.

ETA: The only place I would possibly want a gun would be in the car with me. This would be in case of car trouble or a stop at a sketchy rest stop. Stick out tongue But I'm not trained so it's sort of a moot point over here.

My husband has guns galore, and they're all locked up. If someone broke into your home with the intention to hurt us, it would take far too much time to get the gun out, load it, and go find the criminal in the dark to shoot him/her. It's nice knowing it's there "just in case", but I don't really think it would be effective. I shudder to think of all of the people that have a loaded gun and their children around.

Steven&Jamie · January 2011

oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,
The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

Whoa. Do you take it to school with you?

And how is you having yours at the movie theater all that different from someone having one on campus? Both are ridiculous and frightening, in my opinion.

No, it stays in my glove box when I'm at school. If I wanted to take it to school I would have to submit a petition to the school board---no thank you.

I don't take it into movie theaters and DH doesn't take his. That being said, I just wonder why he's so pro guns on college campuses. I'm all for my right to carry (obviously), but even I think that the open carry proposal is a little much, especially when I think about how many teenagers are on college campuses.

If someone is that concerned about their safety, then they can take the CC class, fill out the paperwork, get the background check, and they're good to go.

BoyMom21 · January 2011

Steven&Jamie:
oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,
The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

Whoa. Do you take it to school with you?

And how is you having yours at the movie theater all that different from someone having one on campus? Both are ridiculous and frightening, in my opinion.
No, it stays in my glove box when I'm at school. If I wanted to take it to school I would have to submit a petition to the school board---no thank you.

I don't take it into movie theaters and DH doesn't take his. That being said, I just wonder why he's so pro guns on college campuses. I'm all for my right to carry (obviously), but even I think that the open carry proposal is a little much, especially when I think about how many teenagers are on college campuses.

If someone is that concerned about their safety, then they can take the CC class, fill out the paperwork, get the background check, and they're good to go.

I didn't know you could even have it in your glove box. My cousin works at a small town high school, and one of the kids had their deer rifle in their truck. Someone saw it, turned him in, and he is expelled for the remainder of the year. Does your school have a different policy?

Steven&Jamie · January 2011

tavia_martin:
I don't understand how people think limiting our gun rights is going to keep criminals from illegally gaining access to weapons.

In response to Boymom's comment (not saying it's directed at me, but thought I'd throw in my $0.02)----I'm not overly confident with a gun. However, I've taken classes and went to the shooting ranges with DH and I DO feel confident that if an unwanted person were in my house, then I could protect myself. My gun is usually in my glovebox in the truck or in my purse/nightstand at home----I don't roll into Wal-Mart packing.

BoyMom21 · January 2011

Steven&Jamie:
tavia_martin:
I don't understand how people think limiting our gun rights is going to keep criminals from illegally gaining access to weapons.

In response to Boymom's comment (not saying it's directed at me, but thought I'd throw in my $0.02)----I'm not overly confident with a gun. However, I've taken classes and went to the shooting ranges with DH and I DO feel confident that if an unwanted person were in my house, then I could protect myself. My gun is usually in my glovebox in the truck or in my purse/nightstand at home----I don't roll into Wal-Mart packing.

Um...I just pictured you in a black ninja suit rolling into Wal Mart with your revolver. Hehe Stick out tongue You totally rocked the ninja suit, by the way!

Steven&Jamie · January 2011

BoyMom21:
Steven&Jamie:
oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,
The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

Whoa. Do you take it to school with you?

And how is you having yours at the movie theater all that different from someone having one on campus? Both are ridiculous and frightening, in my opinion.
No, it stays in my glove box when I'm at school. If I wanted to take it to school I would have to submit a petition to the school board---no thank you.

I don't take it into movie theaters and DH doesn't take his. That being said, I just wonder why he's so pro guns on college campuses. I'm all for my right to carry (obviously), but even I think that the open carry proposal is a little much, especially when I think about how many teenagers are on college campuses.

If someone is that concerned about their safety, then they can take the CC class, fill out the paperwork, get the background check, and they're good to go.
I didn't know you could even have it in your glove box. My cousin works at a small town high school, and one of the kids had their deer rifle in their truck. Someone saw it, turned him in, and he is expelled for the remainder of the year. Does your school have a different policy?

With a CC license, I can have it in my glove box. I couldn't have it laying in the front seat, though. It has to be "concealed", whether it's on me or not. We've had kids get in trouble for rifles in their trucks, but they don't have a CC nor is the weapon concealed.

Steven&Jamie · January 2011

BoyMom21:
Steven&Jamie:
tavia_martin:
I don't understand how people think limiting our gun rights is going to keep criminals from illegally gaining access to weapons.

In response to Boymom's comment (not saying it's directed at me, but thought I'd throw in my $0.02)----I'm not overly confident with a gun. However, I've taken classes and went to the shooting ranges with DH and I DO feel confident that if an unwanted person were in my house, then I could protect myself. My gun is usually in my glovebox in the truck or in my purse/nightstand at home----I don't roll into Wal-Mart packing.
Um...I just pictured you in a black ninja suit rolling into Wal Mart with your revolver. Hehe You totally rocked the ninja suit, by the way!

Bahaha! That would be quite a site to see! Stick out tongue

oklagirl · January 2011

Steven&Jamie:
oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,
The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

Whoa. Do you take it to school with you?

And how is you having yours at the movie theater all that different from someone having one on campus? Both are ridiculous and frightening, in my opinion.
No, it stays in my glove box when I'm at school. If I wanted to take it to school I would have to submit a petition to the school board---no thank you.

I don't take it into movie theaters and DH doesn't take his. That being said, I just wonder why he's so pro guns on college campuses. I'm all for my right to carry (obviously), but even I think that the open carry proposal is a little much, especially when I think about how many teenagers are on college campuses.

If someone is that concerned about their safety, then they can take the CC class, fill out the paperwork, get the background check, and they're good to go.

Maybe I should have been less specific. How is you taki your gun ANYWHERE somehow okay when a college campus is not? Why would either be okay?

amidavey06 · January 2011

Ok here's my .02. I have nothing against the right to have guns (we own a shotgun and I grew up around them). But I think there needs to be boundaries like schools. I understand that bad things happen and the bad guys will get a gun if they want to use it but whose to say if we allow guns on college campuses what's to stop them from making it allowed on high school campuses. I know that's kind of reaching but that's just the way I feel about it. People should have the right to defend themselves but why on a college campus?

kayleeb · January 2011

This just creeps me out. Guns creep me out, not sure why. Maybe because I never really grew up around them (except shooting them at my grandparents' out in the country). I would freak of some kid next to me in my class had a gun. Eek...

ETA: Hahaha, I meant "except shooting them at my grandparents' HOUSE out in the country." Don't worry, I never shot my grandparents.)

Temp856430000003146 · January 2011

amidavey06:
Ok here's my .02. I have nothing against the right to have guns (we own a shotgun and I grew up around them). But I think there needs to be boundaries like schools. I understand that bad things happen and the bad guys will get a gun if they want to use it but whose to say if we allow guns on college campuses what's to stop them from making it allowed on high school campuses. I know that's kind of reaching but that's just the way I feel about it. People should have the right to defend themselves but why on a college campus?

To legally carry a gun you have to be 21, right? I don't think there is a way they will legally be allowed on high school campuses. I actually agree with oklagirl. How is carrying a gun on a college campus different than into a mall, movie theater and grocery store?

oklagirl · January 2011

tavia_martin:
amidavey06:
Ok here's my .02. I have nothing against the right to have guns (we own a shotgun and I grew up around them). But I think there needs to be boundaries like schools. I understand that bad things happen and the bad guys will get a gun if they want to use it but whose to say if we allow guns on college campuses what's to stop them from making it allowed on high school campuses. I know that's kind of reaching but that's just the way I feel about it. People should have the right to defend themselves but why on a college campus?
To legally carry a gun you have to be 21, right? I don't think there is a way they will legally be allowed on high school campuses. I actually agree with oklagirl. How is carrying a gun on a college campus different than into a mall, movie theater and grocery store?

And where we disagree is that I see zero purpose for them at ANY of those places.

Temp856430000003146 · January 2011

oklagirl:
tavia_martin:
amidavey06:
Ok here's my .02. I have nothing against the right to have guns (we own a shotgun and I grew up around them). But I think there needs to be boundaries like schools. I understand that bad things happen and the bad guys will get a gun if they want to use it but whose to say if we allow guns on college campuses what's to stop them from making it allowed on high school campuses. I know that's kind of reaching but that's just the way I feel about it. People should have the right to defend themselves but why on a college campus?
To legally carry a gun you have to be 21, right? I don't think there is a way they will legally be allowed on high school campuses. I actually agree with oklagirl. How is carrying a gun on a college campus different than into a mall, movie theater and grocery store?
And where we disagree is that I see zero purpose for them at ANY of those places.

Right, right. Hence the "I actually agree with oklagirl..." because it so rarely happens Stick out tongue

critti710 · January 2011

BoyMom21:
I don't think guns should be allowed on college campuses.
I wouldn't be so confident, especially only with a CC license (which I don't have), to carry a gun and think that in a moment of panic I could actually shoot and hit my target. The chances of that are slim. How shitty would I feel if I hit an innocent bystander? Yikes.
ETA: The only place I would possibly want a gun would be in the car with me. This would be in case of car trouble or a stop at a sketchy rest stop. But I'm not trained so it's sort of a moot point over here.
My husband has guns galore, and they're all locked up. If someone broke into your home with the intention to hurt us, it would take far too much time to get the gun out, load it, and go find the criminal in the dark to shoot him/her. It's nice knowing it's there "just in case", but I don't really think it would be effective. I shudder to think of all of the people that have a loaded gun and their children around.

We don't have any guns, partially because I agree with the bolded X a million.

Steven&Jamie · January 2011

oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,
The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

Whoa. Do you take it to school with you?

And how is you having yours at the movie theater all that different from someone having one on campus? Both are ridiculous and frightening, in my opinion.
No, it stays in my glove box when I'm at school. If I wanted to take it to school I would have to submit a petition to the school board---no thank you.

I don't take it into movie theaters and DH doesn't take his. That being said, I just wonder why he's so pro guns on college campuses. I'm all for my right to carry (obviously), but even I think that the open carry proposal is a little much, especially when I think about how many teenagers are on college campuses.

If someone is that concerned about their safety, then they can take the CC class, fill out the paperwork, get the background check, and they're good to go.
Maybe I should have been less specific. How is you taki your gun ANYWHERE somehow okay when a college campus is not? Why would either be okay?

Well, the only places my gun goes are in my vehicle and my house. Both are my private property where only I (and DH) am present. A college campus is filled with 1,000s of people. I see a big difference in someone having a gun in their home and carrying one into a classroom full of dozens (or hundreds) of people.

I don't see a reason to carry a gun into a public place like the mall, walmart, restaurants, etc.

oklagirl · January 2011

Steven&Jamie:
oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
oklagirl:
Steven&Jamie:
I haven't been in college in a few years, but it would have freaked me out to know that the person next to me was in possession of a gun. My sister is in college now and I would not feel comfortable with her sitting in a classroom filled with people carrying guns....I'm with stripes---why does he feel that people need to be able to take their gun on campus??

Signed,
The girl who has a CC license and a revolver in her purse.

Whoa. Do you take it to school with you?

And how is you having yours at the movie theater all that different from someone having one on campus? Both are ridiculous and frightening, in my opinion.
No, it stays in my glove box when I'm at school. If I wanted to take it to school I would have to submit a petition to the school board---no thank you.

I don't take it into movie theaters and DH doesn't take his. That being said, I just wonder why he's so pro guns on college campuses. I'm all for my right to carry (obviously), but even I think that the open carry proposal is a little much, especially when I think about how many teenagers are on college campuses.

If someone is that concerned about their safety, then they can take the CC class, fill out the paperwork, get the background check, and they're good to go.
Maybe I should have been less specific. How is you taki your gun ANYWHERE somehow okay when a college campus is not? Why would either be okay?
Well, the only places my gun goes are in my vehicle and my house. Both are my private property where only I (and DH) am present. A college campus is filled with 1,000s of people. I see a big difference in someone having a gun in their home and carrying one into a classroom full of dozens (or hundreds) of people.
I don't see a reason to carry a gun into a public place like the mall, walmart, restaurants, etc.

Okay. When you said it was in your purse, I was thinking it was always in your purse, like a wallet might be.

OUKap · January 2011

What is the point of these proposals? Do we have a problem now?

OSUWifey09 · January 2011

I'm with BoyMom. In a moment of panic, I would NOT be confident in shooting my target. I don't have a CC license anyway, and never plan on having one - but the possibility of having guns in our house is there because H is security forces and training to be an MP. That sucker will stay under every lock and key I can imagine when it's in the house.

I don't understand why this guy is pushing for guns on college campuses. Is this because of Virginia Tech? I meet with students all the time. We have students in and out of our building all day. What if a kid had a gun in a backpack, set it down and it fired? I know it's just a hypothetical, but the thought of that makes me uncomfortable. I wish I could put into better words why the thought of one of my students carrying a gun into my office in his/her backpack scares me, but I can't really.

Temp856430000003146 · January 2011

OSUWifey09:
I wish I could put into better words why the thought of one of my students carrying a gun into my office in his/her backpack scares me, but I can't really.

Do you think it's just an overall fear of guns? That's a real question, not meant to sound snarky. I know I don't love shooting guns, they kind of freak me out. But, the more I shoot one the more comfortable I am with my accuracy. I've only been to the shooting range twice because H really wanted me to. However, I know my H could easily get out his gun wherever we are (he has his CC) and hit his target. I take great comfort in that, I really do. And I think it's hot.

FWIW, our guns are locked up at home (to keep them away from DS) but they're easily accessible to H in case someone did break in.

I'm not trying to change anyone's opinions, I just think it's an interesting discussion because (obviously) H and I feel pretty strongly about our gun rights.

However, the idea of being able to openly carry your weapons (as in, you don't have to conceal them) is just stupid to me.

fuzzylogic · January 2011

I honestly don't think that it's the right to bear arms with a legal weapon that's the problem. It's the illegal weapons that are out there. I have a right to protect myself and my home, and I respect that our founding fathers included this in the constitution.

That said, at this time, neither of us have our CC license, or even own a gun of any kind. I used to be very adamant about not having them, but I feel less strongly about that than in years past. I actually kind of want to try shooting one, though I fear that with my monovision, I'll never be a good shot.

tjlovesthepokes · January 2011

tavia_martin:
I fully support my right to carry a legal weapon. If someone illegally gets a gun and starts firing on campus, I'm going to be able to protect myself and others around me. I don't understand how people think limiting our gun rights is going to keep criminals from illegally gaining access to weapons.

This pretty much sums up exactly how I feel.

prettygirl06 · January 2011

tavia_martin:
I fully support my right to carry a legal weapon. If someone illegally gets a gun and starts firing on campus, I'm going to be able to protect myself and others around me. I don't understand how people think limiting our gun rights is going to keep criminals from illegally gaining access to weapons.

It is not "limiting your gun rights" because if stricter gun laws were actually in place, how would it be that people such as Jared Loughner were able to legally obtain one?

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/01/19/justice-department-policy-kept-jared-loughners-name-off-gun-scr/

If we ceased to look at this from infringing on our rights then maybe there can be a discourse of stricter enforcements.

Can we discuss this?

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