Debate Over Allowing Guns On Campus

From Virginia Tech to Northern Illinois, guns rights advocates are calling for students to be allowed to have guns on a college campus. New On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports a proposed bill in Oklahoma would give that plan the green light.

The bill has been approved by a house committee, but it's still up for debate. If passed, students with a concealed weapons permit would be allowed to carry their guns at public universities.

Passing time playing Frisbee, or just walking to class, thousands of students trek across Oklahoma State University everyday. None of them are allowed to carry a gun. Even those, like Dustin Gaunder, who have a concealed weapons permit.

"We're trusted, we've passed background checks from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation," said Oklahoma State University student Dustin Gaunder.

Gaunder is one of fifty OSU students who support House Bill 2513. The bill would allow students at public universities, who have a concealed weapons permit, to bring those guns on campus.

"It doesn't make any sense to say you can't carry here because it's a different area. We're trained, we're responsible and we've proven that," said Gaunder.

"I don't think it's going to make us safer. I don't think it's going to make people feel safer except, maybe, for the person carrying it," said Vice President of Students Affairs, Dr. Lee Bird.

But, officials at OSU oppose the bill. Dr. Lee Bird says students carrying guns on campus would make the school a dangerous place. But supporters, like Gaunder, say campus shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois point to the need of armed students. Gaunder says a student, who has gone through the training, could stop a violent situation before police arrive. Dr. Bird disagrees.

"I really fell strongly that guns are not going to provide a level of security and I want the people with the weapons to be the licensed police officers that have the training and dedication to do that," said Dr. Bird.

But, Gaunder says it comes down to the fact that those with a permit can take the weapons everywhere else.

"It's not a safety issue when you go to the mall, it's not a safety issue when you go to the movie theater," said Gaunder.

The OSU chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus will be holding what they call a silent protest the end of April. That's when students who are licensed to carry a gun will be wearing an empty holster on campus.

The proposed bill would give public colleges the right to keep faculty members or staff from bringing the weapons on campus.