Texas renews debate on handguns on college campuses

AUSTIN, Texas Texas lawmakers are renewing the debate on allowing concealed handguns into college classrooms.

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The House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety is meeting Thursday to consider several bills allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their guns into campus buildings where they are currently banned.

CBS Austin affiliate KEYE-TV reports of the two bills, two are getting the most attention: One that would allow the concealed handguns into college classrooms, and another would train teachers as school marshals.

Claire Wilson James, a survivor of the University of Texas tower shooting in 1996 and a teacher of 30 years, is expected to testify against the bills. James will argue that the role of teachers and law enforcement are two different jobs that shouldn't be combined, KEYE-TV reports.

A similar measure erupted into one of the most contentious bills of the 2011 session before it failed. Supporters are pushing the measure again.

College administrators have generally not supported the effort in the past. They worry guns will spark more campus violence and suicide.

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Supporters call it a gun rights issue and a self-defense measure that could prevent mass shootings similar to the one at Virginia Tech in 2007 and last year at a Connecticut elementary school.

[Colt4542]

I've always felt that handgun possession age should be 25, not 21. Yes, I bought my first revolver at age 21 but I was not prepared for the consequences of its use. Fortunately, nothing happened and no one got hurt. But years later I had matured enough to realize how easy it would have been to loose emotional control for just a moment with dire consequences. Texas is pushing for age of 18 to possess so it matches the voting and military service age. I disagree. I also feel voting age should go back to 21. Eighteen year olds are too easily influenced to make good firearm - and voting - decisions.

[Ulgnud]

A hundred years ago in America the percentage of guns in the household was higher. Dramatically so in rural areas. Teenagers routinely went hunting and helped fill the table with meat. It has a lot to do with parental training and the need for families to work together for simple survival.

[adamrickman]

18 year olds are actually allowed to possess a handgun. According to the law, only those who are 21 and older may purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer (18 USC 922(b)(1)). The law states that it is only a crime if a juvenile, being under 18 (18 USC 922(x)(5)) possess a handgun. So a person between the age of 18-20 may purchase a firearm from anyone who is not a FFL dealer.
My parents raised me to be a person to think for myself. They showed me what is right and encouraged me to think why it is right. I enlisted in the military two weeks after my 18 birthday and in two weeks I will have completed my fourth year in the military. What's funny is my attitude with guns never really changed. I was comfortable around guns because my father took me hunting and showed me how to properly handle a gun. This taught me more than just about guns. He gave me more responsibility in my life and I realized at that moment that I needed to be more mature (this coming from a 14 year old mind). The key is like ULGNUD said, "It has to do with parental training." This I believe applies to everything. I show respect, love, and kindness to others because that is what is right. I shouldn't expect it from anyone else, but I should expect it from myself. If someone shows me respect, love, and kindess, I should be thankful for that. All this talk about gun violence isn't because of the guns, it is a lack of parents raising children.

[mollydtt]

There are a few problems with having guns on campus. First, the would-be heroes are sometimes not sure who to shoot, or if there really was a "second shooter" etc. Are they calm and focused enough to aim correctly?
Also, a university is a very stressful place for many. A Ph D. candidate, who has just been told by his/her advisor that he isn't doctoral material may lose his/her composure and do something horrible. Students are under tremendous pressure, and people shouldn't forget for a moment that alcohol is available on campus.
It's too easy to lose ones' perspective when a gun is just right there.