Group supports concealed weapons
Student organization for concealed carry laws growing in size
Nick Halter
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
|
Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a national group, has reached 23,000 members at 500 campuses, said Bret Bostwick, leader of UW-Madison's SCCC chapter. He said UW-Eau Claire students have also inquired about the organization, and a chapter here is in the works.
But the SCCC has an uphill battle in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is one of two states that ban concealed weapons at a statewide level. A campus law would be an additional step in concealed weapon legislation.
"Our goal as a group is to create dialogue … what we need to do is raise awareness that Wisconsin is an outlier when it comes to conceal and carry," said Bostwick, a medical school student at Madison.
Currently, Utah is the only state that allows concealed weapons on its state campuses. Bostwick said there are 14 other states currently considering similar legislation.
In 2005, the state Senate and Assembly passed statewide concealed carry bills, but the legislation was vetoed by Gov. Jim Doyle in 2006.
Bostwick said it takes minutes for police to respond to an attack in a classroom. If there had been a student with a concealed weapon at Virginia Tech, he said it may not have prevented the shooting, but it would have leveled the playing field. He said gun-free zones sound like a good idea, but when there is a criminal with a gun, they leave people vulnerable.
"When criminals have guns in a gun-free zone it's like shooting fish in a barrel," he said.
University Police Chief David Sprick said he would not support concealed carry legislation. When looking at the rarity of an active shooter case and comparing it to the potential dangers of students carrying weapons, the risk outweighs the reward.
What if students misplaced their weapons? Sprick asked. He said while many gun owners are well-trained, some aren't. He said that police officers undergo extensive and continuous training with their weapons.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Suzon Gordon
posted 3/31/08 @ 6:23 AM CST
Yes, I go to a class.
And NO! Carrying a weapon is a bad idea. I once stood next to a man I discovered was carrying at a party. He was introduced as my lawyer-father's lawyer. (Continued…)
Uncle Snake
posted 4/04/08 @ 4:31 PM CST
Thank you for your opinion Suzon.
Personally I believe that concealed carry is a good idea as long as the carrier is carefully screened and checked out. (Continued…)
Post a Comment