Would you send your kid to college packing?
Checklist for your college-bound kid:
Linens, towels, toiletries, refrigerator, computer, desk lamp, handgun & ammo, tennis racket, easy chair, toaster ...
Wait a minute. Something not quite right there? We think so, too. The movement in favor of letting (properly licensed) students carry concealed handguns on college campuses in Virginia strikes us an approach that could do more harm than good. What's your view?
On another subject, we're certainly interested in the Downtown Greenway proposal, but the potential cost of $20 million to $40 million over 10 years to make it happen is staggering.
If that much money could be raised for big projects, could it yield more value for Greensboro by, say, completing the International Civil Rights Center and Museum and building a first-class competitive swim facility?
Greensboro already has a good system of greenways, and the downtown area is already pedestrian-friendly. Certainly, improvements are possible and many are planned. But it's all about priorities.
What are we missing here?
Comments (5)
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I favor allowing properly licensed students to carry concealed handguns on college campuses.
As long as those individuals sign a contract saying that they will abstain from alcohol and drugs.
These students must be tested regularly for alcohol and drugs, with regular surprise visits to make sure they are not violating the terms of this contract.
If they are found to be using alcohol and/or drugs, they should be automatically kicked out of school.
If they ever pull out their guns without justifiable cause, they should be thrown in jail for at least 20 years.
If they point their guns at anyone who is not a clear and present threat, they should be sentenced to life in jail.
Under these terms, I support the idea.
Posted on August 13, 2007 11:22 AM
What's the point, then, if you can't get drunk and fire your gun into the air after a big football victory?
Posted on August 13, 2007 11:55 AM
The Roanoke Times article lightly touched on the problem when it called the situation murky. College campuses in Virginia have not been given the authority by the state legislature to ban properly permitted gun owners, including students, from carrying a concealed weapon. Other venues, such as churches and primary schools, have been given that authority by the General Assembly.
The James Madison U. case died for lack of standing. The plaintiff was never actually arrested by JMU police, so he didn't have the ability to challenge the policy.
I don't see this as a question of whether guns on campus are right or wrong.
To me it's a case of a government entity attempting to exceed its authority. If Va. Tech and other public colleges in Virginia want the ability to ban licensed gun owners from carrying those guns on campus, then they need to convince the General Assembly of that need.
So far they have been unsuccessful -- although the tragedy in Blacksburg probably gives them a narrow window to win such authority -- in doing so. And the colleges have tried repeatedly.
Punishing a student -- and possibly spawning a gun rights lawsuit they could very likely lose -- does not seem like the best way to get to that end.
Posted on August 13, 2007 1:01 PM
Thanks, Jonathan. Good points about the students' rights under existing law and the issue of proper authority.
Ever think about a law career?
Posted on August 13, 2007 3:49 PM
Once or twice.
Posted on August 13, 2007 3:57 PM