By Lynn Post |Staff Writer|
Many colleges across the United States, including campuses in Utah and Texas have allowed students to carry concealed weapons on campus so long as they have a permit. But why not CSUSB?
Students should be allowed to carry their guns on campus if they own what is called a concealed carry permit (CCP).
Students with a CCP are not allowed to carry their gun at CSUSB, but with the amount of theft and recent crimes on campus carrying a weapon for safety is not a bad idea.
In fact it may be a matter of life or death when faced with a dangerous scenario.
If it is late at night a student is walking to their car alone and a suspicious person approaches them with the intent to harm, a fire arm concealed might be their best chance to escape, if first they know how to use it and second they have it on them.
According to campuscarry.com, “After allowing concealed carry on campus for an average of more than three years (as of June 2011), none of these 26 colleges (71 campuses) has seen a single resulting incident of gun violence (including threats and suicides) or a single resulting gun accident.”
The cite states that a person in Texas is more than 20 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to be murdered, or negligently killed by a concealed handgun license holder.
Many students fear that concealed carry permits on campuses can lead to trouble, including Arelie Felix who said, “It is a large campus and there is a large group of people and it is very easy to get involved in some kind of shooting or it can be accidental as well.”
It may surprise some people to know how difficult it is to actually obtain a CCP; there are lots of hoops to jump through.
In San Bernardino a CCP can only be obtained by completing an application packet, providing three letters of reference, four personal references and a statement of reason.
The cost of the permit is $350.
After being rewarded a permit you must attend a four hour safety class.
To own a firearm in San Bernardino one must fill out an application at a gun store, have no record of violent crimes, take a class and then pass a test.
The cost of renewing a concealed carry permit is $110 and would need to be completed every two years.
The person renewing is required to take a four hour class, and make sure they have listed the guns they want to be able to carry.
The classes help individuals use the gun responsibly and teaches them the do’s and don’ts of gun safety.
Students should not be concerned for their safety if students are granted the ability to carry guns on campus.
Carriers have been well trained, informed and rigorously screened.
This process helps weed out people unfit to carry a concealed weapon.
A person can have up to three guns on their CCP.
Taking classes, apart from the ones required, would be a great way to feel more comfortable using a firearm.
There are plenty of safety courses to choose from.
To obtain a permit pick up an application at 655 E. Third St. in San Bernardino.
Gun shop owner Lisa Carlson said, “I own a business and I wanted it for the safety of my family and myself […] it is always a very good idea to know what your firearm is and how to use it.”
Carlson added, “’Wait a minute Mr. Bad Guy while I figure out how to use this’ doesn’t work.”
Going to a shooting range to practice is the best way to improve accuracy and comfort with a firearm.
If a gun is too extreme for you having mace or a taser is another way to protect yourself.
Legal CCW on University campuses is very unlikely to happen because of the way CA firearm laws currently are (retarded). Arizona, Utah or Texas — maybe. CA is too 'blue' of a state — there's just too many hoops to jump through to first purchase a firearm and then get a CCW permit and too many people in this state, especially politicians, have an irrational fear of guns….