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Campuses push for right to carry handguns
By Ana McKenzie
Pencils? Check. Paper? Check. Loaded handgun?
Politicians and students activists across the state have pushed for legislation that would allow students, faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on university campuses. The Texas Concealed Handgun Law prohibits civilians who have a concealed handgun license from carrying a weapon onto UT property, according to the UT Police Department's Web site. Texas is one of 16 states that does not allow concealed handguns to be carried on a university campus. Allison Castle, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry, said the governor would support legislation allowing those with a license to carry a gun on campus. "Anyone who has gone through the process of getting a license and has had a thorough background check should be allowed to carry a gun anywhere," Castle said. "In terms of legislation, a lawmaker would have to initiate that. But the governor has left no doubt where he stands on the issue." From Sept. 1, 2006 to Aug. 31, 2007, 16,636 women and 74,231 men in the state were issued a handgun license, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Web site. During the same time period, 27 females and 392 males were denied a license, according to the site. In order to qualify for a license, an applicant must be over 21 years of age though former and current members of the armed forces may be 18, have a clean criminal history, not be chemically dependent or of "unsound mind" and have all fines and fees paid completely, according to the Texas Concealed Handgun Association's Web site. The fatal shooting of 33 Virginia Tech students last year convinced some that students should be allowed to carry weapons on campus for protection in case a similar incident were to reoccur. But some students, like sociology sophomore Adrian Hernandez, said that a loose Virginia gun law is what allowed Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech shooter, to purchase the guns he used. The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
Mike Stollenwerk
posted 12/15/07 @ 9:54 PM CST
Ana McKenzie did a great job on this report, including pointing out that Texas is out of step with main stream America as only 16 states (including TX) ban student handgun carry on campus as a matter of state criminal law. (Continued…)
Mike Stollenwerk carry openly a sign saying you have no brain
posted 12/17/07 @ 8:43 PM CST
Carry weapons, second amendment, maybe you should advocate that you be allowed to fly to school in a fully armed F-113A, with missle tiped nuclear weapons and fully automatic gatlin guns so that you can feel safe. (Continued…)
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