Posted on 08/22/2009 5:43:19 AM PDT by marktwain
Sen. Randy Richardville on Thursday (August 20th) introduced bipartisan legislation that would help make college campuses safer by allowing CCW permit holders to carry a weapon on college campuses.
“Crimes occur on college campuses just like any other place,” said Richardville, a Monroe Republican. “Students, faculty and visitors, who have permits and have undergone the proper training and background checks, should have the right to carry a concealed weapon for their protection while on campus.”
Senate Bill 747, sponsored by Richardville, would remove college campuses from the no-carry zones for concealed weapons. This would allow individuals with CCW permits to carry a weapon at a Michigan college or university campus.
Sen. Cameron Brown (R-Fawn River Township) is among six co-sponsors.
Richardville said, “Unfortunately, our nation has seen an increase in horrific shootings on college campuses in the last few years. Those who receive the training and have been authorized to carry concealed weapons should be allowed to protect themselves against this type of violence.”
According to Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, 24 states prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons on campus by those with a valid permit, while 15 states allow colleges and universities to decide.
The state of Utah has allowed licensed individuals to have concealed handguns on college campuses since 2006. Colorado State University has permitted it since 2003 and Blue Ridge Community College in Virginia since 1995.
Several organizations in favor of gun rights support Richardville’s legislation.
“The National Rifle Association doesn’t believe in arbitrary boundaries, and we look forward to working with the Michigan Legislature to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners everywhere,” said Darin Goens, NRA’s Michigan state liaison. “If law-abiding gun owners go through the scrutiny, extensive background checks, training and all the legal channels to obtain a right-to-carry permit, they should be able to carry those firearms.”
Steven W. Dulan, J.D., a member of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners board of directors and legal counsel for the foundation, said: “Tragedies such as the Virginia Tech massacre prove beyond all doubt that murderers do not honor so-called ‘pistol free zones.’ Only law-abiding citizens are disarmed by such rules. Senator Richardville’s bill is one more step toward extending the benefits of liberty and safety to more of our citizens in more places. We fully support his effort.”
The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
If passengers were allowed to carry their licensed handguns on board it is possible that those three airliners would still be flying and all killed on that day would be alive and with their families.
I agree totally sir. My 10mm Glock has never lost a match with a box cutter.
It is good for politicians of every stripe to have a healthy fear of the People. Because contrary to DemoLiberal Socialist control freak plague rat opinion...It is the *People* who are the sovereigns in the United States, *Not* the Government. WE own the Government! The Government does NOT own *US*!
G’night!
If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.