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While the state legislature battles over a bill that would allow firearms on all Idaho college campuses and prevent individual towns from outright banning concealed weapons, the same division is taking place on this campus and throughout Moscow.
For now, the provision that would open the door to concealed weapons on campus has been tabled, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come up again.
Both sides have their advocates. On campus, Al Baker leads Vandals for Concealed Carry on Campus. Opposing him and his group is U of I Students Against Concealed Weapons at School, a Facebook group with 110 members as of Thursday afternoon.
The question that must be asked is this: Are you so afraid of violence from your own classmates, students and teachers that you need to hide a handgun on your person?
Do you live in such a constant state of fear that someone might shoot you that the only way to be comforted is to know that you could shoot first?
The people of colonial- and revolutionary-era America lived in that environment. They didn’t breed a culture of fear; they had legitimate reasons to be afraid. They also had to hunt for their own survival, in addition to defending themselves.
It is not likely that Baker, or anyone else associated with his group, will have to go out into the wilderness to hunt down their lunch.
It is not likely that Baker will be called at a minute’s notice to help defend his country against redcoats or jihadists.
No one in this matter is saying individuals can’t own guns. This isn’t 1776 or 1876. There are places that still live like it’s the Wild West and if that is how someone wants to live, fine.
A university campus, however, is not the place to play Wyatt Earp.
Situations like last spring’s Virginia Tech shootings or yesterday’s incident at Northern Illinois University, foster this culture of fear, making more and more people throw their support behind legislation easing policies on concealed weapons.
When other people do this, we call it terrorism. In other words, causing undue fear in order to promote chaos and irrational behavior.
Fear makes it difficult to learn. Taking a test is chaotic enough without being concerned if the student at the next desk is packing heat.
Guns do have their place — shooting ranges, hunting trips and the hips of trained law enforcement officers.
Keeping guns off of campus is only one way to prevent violence and lessen fear. The best way to not be afraid of your classmates or neighbors is the simplest.
Say hello. Get to know them. Let people get to know you. And if you meet someone with a common interest in firearms, you can go hunting together.
Just keep it off campus.
— TJT
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