LETTER: Guns aren’t the problem
To the editor:
I am a student at USU, and I carry a firearm to class every day. I don’t think that everyone should be carrying a gun, but those that want to should have that choice. Why is it that the most educated people in our society think that a gun ban will keep criminals from doing what they do? Give me a break! Criminals are called criminals for a reason. Banning honest citizens from carrying guns on campus will not keep a psycho from killing innocent people, but an armed student or professor could stop the carnage imposed by a crazed gunman. Just imagine if the shooter in Montreal started shooting and a person with a legal firearm was sitting at the table next to him. A student with a legal concealed weapon could have stopped the assailant. Is that so hard to understand? A gun ban would not have prevented the shooting in Montreal.
Concealed weapons permit holders that carry a gun on campus pose no threat to the students or faculty, as stated in the story “Gun policy should not be legislated”. I don’t know of any incident where a concealed weapons permit holder has ever committed a crime with his/her weapon. None!
As to the idea that the police are there to protect me…I don’t think so. I support our local police to the fullest extent, but let’s not be naive. I know that our local or any other police officer would do anything to prevent a violent crime. I also believe that they do prevent some violent crimes. But all too often, the police become involved after the crime has been committed and become evidence collectors instead of protectors.
The real problem here is the lack of education about the ability and right for people to protect themselves. A professor once told me that he has lived in Utah for fifteen years and never needed a gun, and didn’t see the need to carry one. I responded by telling him that I have lived in Utah for thirteen years and never had a flat tire, but I still carry a spare! Know the facts before you make a decision about concealed weapons on campus. Guns are not dangerous, criminals are!
James Call