On Monday, February 22, 2016 the Statesman Newspaper
published an opinion article by the Editorial Board, named “Lawmakers need torevisit campus carry opt-out for state colleges.” In this article the author believes
that public university officials should have the same authority as private campuses
do, which is to opt-out from allowing student to carry guns in campuses.
More than 20 private campuses have already declined this law.
On a Texas Tribune conference, Baylor University’s Ken Starr said, “We’re here
as seats of learning, and I do not think this is helpful,” in which I agree
with. Public or private, universities should serve as a seat of learning and no
more. Even though there is some of who think that this measure is to ensure
safety, guns should not be allowed inside campus. I am not against of allowing
certified civilians to carry guns, but I do believe there should be a strict
definition of where and when they should be allowed.
In this article it also mentions the repercussions that this
law has already cause in the University of Texas. After having no other choice
than to accept this law President Gregory L. Fenves has already expressed his discontent
with this law. Last week he said, “I do not believe handguns belong on a university
campus, so this decision has been the greatest challenge of my presidency to
date,” however, the discontent has not only been expressed by the president himself,
but by a large number of faculty members. Some of the current faculty member
have already indicated that they will continue to fight against this rule,
others have already said that if there is no changes they will resign from
teaching.
The last that the author points out and which one I agree
with also is that, “No one has a better grasp of the real security needs at a specific
campuses more than the leaders of those institutions.” As the president of any
institution they know what’s best for them and into what level they need to
adopt this safety measure. This decision should be left to the decision of the presidents
of all Universities to decide whether it is need or not, because like the
author of this article said they are the ones responsible for the universities therefore
they know whether they need to implement that law and to what extent.