The Myth of Campus Concealed Carry

Because liberal gun control advocates can’t point to facts to sustain their arguments, they resort to strawman or broad arguments to support their cause like, “Some students in open discussions have expressed paranoia that anyone on a college campus could potentially possess a deadly weapon.” A plane could “potentially” crash into TSU stadium during homecoming, but that doesn’t mean we need to reroute air traffic to prevent it.

Then, there’s this: “A gunfight between a potentially mentally ill gunman and a college student would do more damage to the campus community—physically and mentally—than the intended defensive effort.” Again, there is no evidence to support this theory or “logic.” In fact, the evidence suggests quite a different picture.

 There are more guns and gun owners in the U.S. than ever. During the last decade, “gun control” has been significantly reduced. The federal waiting period on handguns ended in 1998, in favor of the NRA-supported national instant check. Congress refused to renew the federal “assault weapon” and “large” magazine ban, allowing it to expire in 2004. Congress and 33 states have prohibited frivolous lawsuits against the firearms industry. Forty-two states have Right-to-Carry, and 48 states prohibit cities from imposing gun laws more restrictive than state law. From 1991 to 2010, the total violent crime rate declined more than 47% to a 37-year low, and the murder rate declined by 51% to a 47-year low. Both declined more than seven percent more in the first half of 2011.

So, how is it possible that more people own gun than in the entire history of our nation and yet violent crime rates have dropped? These aren’t anecdotal numbers, these are reality. Unfortunately, it’s a reality that Venkataraman wants to ignore. Since President Obama became president nearly four years ago, privately owned firearms have grown by about 15 million. According to the NRA, nearly 45% of households – incorporating over 70 million gunowners – are armed. I’m pretty sure this number would be higher if not for states like Illinios, New York and California, among others.

The right to arms derives from the right of self-defense, and therefore is an individual right. Thomas Jefferson said, “No free man shall be debarred the use of arms.” Patrick Henry said, “The great object is that every man be armed.” Richard Henry Lee said, “To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.” Thomas Paine said, “[A]rms . . . discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe.”