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VCDL on Va Tech shooting
An email:
As most of you know VCDL has been pushing hard to change Virginia law
to allow college and university students with concealed handgun
permits to be able to carry a gun on campus for self-defense.
Last year Delegate Todd Gilbert put in such a bill for us and so did
Delegate Mark Cole this year.
We could not get the bills out of subcommittee.
We warned the General Assembly that violent crime can, and does,
happen on campuses across the Commonwealth.
But the university and college lobbyists swore that crime was not an
issue and that the schools did not want students and visitors to be
able to defend themselves with a gun or other weapon. They argued
that the schools had little boxes with lights that had a button
someone could press if they needed the police.
The General Assembly turned a deaf ear to allowing college and
university students to be able to protect themselves and here we are
today.
While it is NOT illegal for a college or university student with a
CHP to carry in Virginia, they could get expelled (or fired if a
teacher). And that is a severe enough financial penalty that students
don't want to take the chance. Who can blame them?
As I noted in the previous post, "Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was
defeated. "I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus."
Comments
"Feel safe" != "Be safe".
But they never seem to notice that fact.
Posted by: steveH at April 16, 2007 04:15 PM
Dave,
If anything should be the driver for allowing students and faculty their lawful, unimpaired right to carry concelaed weapons on college campuses, the Va. Tech Massacre should be it.
One can always speculate that this was merely a "random" act, not likely to take place elsewhere; however, the victims of that attack are just as dead, random violence or not.
Concealed carry, in my view, is the only way to go.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Grant at April 16, 2007 05:19 PM
Perception has become more important than reality.
Posted by: straightarrow at April 16, 2007 05:20 PM
The anti CHP/gun folks will never get it. They think a gun in anyones hand is dangerous, and won't see the fact that these people could easily have been saved if their own college administration hadn't rendered them sheep to be slaughtered. They'll never be satisfied till we're all helpless.
Posted by: FHB at April 16, 2007 10:02 PM
We'll see how long the VT policy lasts when the lawsuits start. By denying students and faculty the means to defends themselves, the University has taken on some responsibility for their safety and represents the deepest pocket in this sordid affair. I don't care for lawsuits per se but often this is the only way to drill through the hardened layers of agenda surrounding the typical college administration. I recall reading that Utah actually read the federal legislation regarding guns on campus and state law makes provision for teachers with CCW licenses to do so.
Posted by: Jerry in Detroit at April 17, 2007 04:17 AM
Where were all of those little boxes with lights that have a button someone could press if they need the police? I wonder if Larry Hincker is still happy that the bill was defeated. I am happy that this may help to change some laws, but I wish the laws could have been changed before loss of life.
Posted by: Donnie in VA at April 17, 2007 10:47 AM
Oh Hell no, Donnie! That requires too much intelligence from people bred for their photogeneity, rather than intelligence. We couldn't have that crap, how would our leaders know where to run to the front to "lead us"?
Posted by: straightarrow at April 17, 2007 01:44 PM