Safer by the minute....

[them_pumpkins]

So, evidently, the state legislature is voting to allow anyone with a concealed weapons permit (so, any nutjob, since psychological testing before they give a gun to someone who knows how to use it and doesn't have a previous criminal record) ON CAMPUS

Comments

[space_cadet42]

(deleted and reposted to fix bad html)

I'm going to have to play devil's advocate on this one.

I will agree that the quote is ridiculous. However, armed people are not necessarily unsafe. Everyone I know who has a concealed carry permit is very aware of the potential dangers of firearms and takes every safety precaution possible. I dislike the idea that we would be unsafe if people were armed. Responsible people who respect firearms and practice safe firearm handling are perfectly safe. People who have not been educated about gun safety could be dangerous, however they would have to learn to handle firearms safely and responsibly in the course of the certification process.

Further, the concealed carry permit reqirements are fairly stringent. They require a safety course, no history of mental illness (despite the fact that many mentally ill individuals do not pose any danger), no criminal record, etc. Admittedly, there are going to be people who get concealed carry permits anyways. But that's not going to change because of this law.

[them_pumpkins]

I suppose me posting that is similar to someone saying legalizing marijuana is a bad idea (although it's hard to kill someone by shooting marijuana at their head).

I guess, in my perfect world, fewer people come onto campus without illegally concealed weapons than not. I feel as though, if it were legal, those few irresponsible people who do get gun permits (and who don't act illegally and carry a weapon on campus now) would start bringing guns. And, if it's legal, what's to stop them whipping it out and saying they felt threatened?

I guess I just feel uncomfortable with that notion (call me semi-paranoid).

[space_cadet42]

Wait, it's irresponsible to get a concealed carry permit? Why? Carrying a firearm comes with a ton of responsibility - you're responsible for ensuring that your behavior and gun handling is safe both for yourself and those around you.

Part of that responsibility involves not pointing a gun at anyone. Ever. It's actually illegal to brandish a firearm. You never point a gun at anything you're not willing to shoot, and the circumstances under which it's legal to shoot someone in self-defense are so specific and limited as to be virtually non-existent. Firearms are actually very bad self-defense weapons from a legal standpoint. It's easy to get convicted for shooting someone even if it was done in self-defense.

Sorry I tend to go on about these things. I know that a lot of people aren't comfortable with firearms. I guess my history with competition shooting has left me a bit touchy about assumptions that people with guns are unsafe.

[them_pumpkins]

You're also misinterpreting what I'm saying to a certain extent. I'm NOT by any means saying it's irresponsible to get a concealed carry permit. I think there is a huge level of responsibility that comes with it. I'm saying that jackasses can get concealed carry permits and not realize there is responsibility.

Jackass+gun+permit to carry hidden gun = scary.

I'm also really sleep deprived right now and not very linguistically competent.