Nicholas Chupka
Staff Writer
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| Nicholas Chupka |
A new GOP supported bill written to lessen restrictions on guns, House Bill 937, passed through the NC House earlier this month, thanks to an overwhelming 76-38 vote. The bill would allow for concealed weapons to be carried on college campuses, walking trails, state property, and in businesses that serve alcohol. However, many, including myself, are questioning whether or not this is a safe decision on the House’s part.
Let me be clear, I do not think it is a bad idea to allow gun owners to carry weapons for protection, because of course, not all gun owners are irresponsible. However, is it safe to allow concealed weapons to be carried by patrons at a bar? I would say no. If the carrier of a concealed weapon is intoxicated, what is stopping him from pulling his gun out on someone? Who thought that this was a good idea? This is the most inane part of the bill. What restaurant owner or bar owner, in his right mind, would allow patrons to carry concealed weapons in his place of business? Thankfully, however, the bill states that businesses serving alcohol may not allow concealed weapons on their property if they choose.
According to a study conducted by the FBI, 54% of crimes committed on college campuses are gun related; allowing guns to be carried on college campuses will only increase that number. Fortunately, the bill does not allow concealed weapons to be carried in classrooms or to be stored in dormitories, but it does allow for them to be stored in locked vehicles. Allowing these crimes to happen on a college campus is frightening and could lead to shootings similar to the 2006 Virginia Tech massacre or the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. However, like businesses that serve alcohol, private colleges will have the option not to allow weapons to be stored or carried on campus, though public schools must adhere to the bill’s requirements.
Despite the few restrictions this new bill imposes, it does lengthen the amount of possible jail time for committing a gun crime, which is a good addition to the proposal. However, studies show that harsher punishments and longer sentences will not reduce crime rates, so is it even necessary? This part of the bill doesn’t serve any other purpose than making the bill seem like it will have an actual effect on gun crimes, when really it’s just a wasted effort.
Lawmakers need to realize that just because the second amendment gives us the right to own weapons, that doesn’t mean that we can be irresponsible with them. The saying “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” is true, but only to some extent. You can’t only blame the person for committing a gun crime. People may be in control of the guns, but guns are designed to kill, and allowing them to be so accessible to criminals not only makes citizens uncomfortable, but could put them in a great deal of danger.
Overall, the bill doesn’t do much to improve the safety of citizens. When are you going to need a gun in a bar? What is the point of allowing weapons on college campuses if they can only be stored in cars? It seems that lawmakers are just trying to make a statement by writing these bills and, in doing so, putting the safety and security of the public at risk.
