2008 Woodie Awards
House passes bill allowing guns on campus
Lawmakers pass legislation on to Senate, but want to see universities develop campus crisis plans.
Katie Wiles-Community News Service
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News
Students will be allowed to carry firearms on public college campuses under a bill that passed, 63-3, on the House floor Feb. 4. House Bill 1261 is designed to give college students their second amendment rights, according to the bill's sponsor Rep. Thomas Brunner, R-Nisland.
"We're not suggesting that students carry guns. We're clarifying the law that says these college students are adults and have the same rights as all citizens," Majority leader Rep. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center said.
Joel Dykstra, R-Canton, also supported the measure. "What we're talking about is a fundamental principal of the American constitution," he said.
Rep. Richard Engels, D-Hartford, agreed but said that all constitutional rights are subject to regulation. This regulation should only be done by the legislative body rather than higher education institutes, he said.
Despite the majority of the floor supporting the bill, there were some safety concerns.
"I'm concerned with the accidental shootings," Rep. Bill Thompson, D-Sioux Falls said. Many deaths are the direct result of firearms and adding alcohol to the situation, which often happens on campuses, makes for even greater danger, Thompson said.
According to Rep. Larry Lucas, D-Mission, this bill isn't the answer to safety concerns.
"We're all concerned for the safety of our campuses. We should instead see a crisis plan on our campuses," Lucas said.
The bill now moves to the Senate for approval.
"We're not suggesting that students carry guns. We're clarifying the law that says these college students are adults and have the same rights as all citizens," Majority leader Rep. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center said.
Joel Dykstra, R-Canton, also supported the measure. "What we're talking about is a fundamental principal of the American constitution," he said.
Rep. Richard Engels, D-Hartford, agreed but said that all constitutional rights are subject to regulation. This regulation should only be done by the legislative body rather than higher education institutes, he said.
Despite the majority of the floor supporting the bill, there were some safety concerns.
"I'm concerned with the accidental shootings," Rep. Bill Thompson, D-Sioux Falls said. Many deaths are the direct result of firearms and adding alcohol to the situation, which often happens on campuses, makes for even greater danger, Thompson said.
According to Rep. Larry Lucas, D-Mission, this bill isn't the answer to safety concerns.
"We're all concerned for the safety of our campuses. We should instead see a crisis plan on our campuses," Lucas said.
The bill now moves to the Senate for approval.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 25
Jimmie Tuba
posted 2/06/08 @ 7:26 PM CST
How can Rep. Richard Engels say that all constitutional rights are subject to regulation. Has he not studied history at all. Constitutional rights are the only thing that cannot be regulated. (Continued…)
Licensed to Conceal
posted 2/06/08 @ 8:50 PM CST
In light of recent history of school violence, primarily that on college campuses, I think it is very important that students who are licensed to conceal a weapon, be allowed to do so. (Continued…)
Wendy Weinbaum
posted 2/07/08 @ 12:30 PM CST
I support self-defense on campus! As a Jewess in the US, I would like to remind all that America wasn't won with a registered gun, and that criminals are not stopped by talk, but by FIREARMS. (Continued…)
Rather NotSay
posted 2/09/08 @ 10:31 AM CST
The SDSU Academic Senate is claiming that the faculty is unanimously against this bill. I know that a university is a very liberal environment, but I can't believe that ALL of my professors are against this bill. (Continued…)
Devil's Advocate
posted 2/09/08 @ 3:54 PM CST
First let me assure you that the faculty are not unanimously against the 2nd amendment, or for treating college students as second class citizens. Most of us had not even heard of this plan. (Continued…)
Current Student
posted 2/10/08 @ 1:07 PM CST
As a current student at SDSU, I am finding it hard to believe that this bill is even being considered. I understand that there are people who go hunting and that they shouldn't have to go all the way back home if they want to hunt; however, it just seems inconceivable that we would allow guns on campus. (Continued…)
SoMN
posted 2/10/08 @ 4:26 PM CST
The UPD do carry guns. Are you blind? You also realize that it's not illegal to carry guns on campus now, right?
Josh Yocom
posted 2/12/08 @ 12:50 AM CST
I think we all need to take a moment and remember what exactly it is we go to SDSU for. Students across the country struggle to go to universities now more than ever. (Continued…)
Josh
posted 2/12/08 @ 2:33 PM CST
If one discounts my "IF" statement then one must also discount the "IF" statements that allow for the self-defence excuse, which the previous commenters use most often to support carrying concealed weapons to class. (Continued…)
Jeremiah Clark
posted 2/12/08 @ 5:17 PM CST
How faculty feels about House Bill 1261 matters most, I think; in the university environment - my right to keep and bear arms does not over-ride faculties right to work in a hostile-free environment. (Continued…)
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