A HORRIFIC THOUGHT
The chiefs of police at all three Arizona universities have testified that SB 1467 — which allows for concealed carry in the classroom — will make classes less safe, yet the bill appears likely to pass in a few weeks.
One can respect and accommodate Second Amendment rights, and yet recognize that there are some settings: courtrooms, airports and classrooms, for instance, that should be kept free of weapons.
The stresses of the classroom — where professors sit in judgment of students’ performance — should not be underestimated.
Secondly, can you imagine the challenge posed to law enforcement by a shooting scene at which multiple weapons are pulled? Training for an Arizona concealed weapons permit just does not include the level of law enforcement skills needed to handle situations like this.
Responsible gun owners recognize this, which is why members of the public in the Giffords shooting in Tucson did not use firearms.
Thirdly, when carrying a gun into a classroom is an offense, there is at least a chance that a criminal may be apprehended for that offense.
If SB 1647 passes, the offense escalates to the actual use of the firearm in the classroom, because only a law enforcement officer will be allowed to ask to see the permit of a gun-carrying student.
However horrific these scenarios are, can you imagine a shootout in a laboratory housing dangerous pathogens?
What about a shooting at one of the day care centers operated by ASU?
Stuart Lindsay
Faculty
