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Colleges should not be 'defense-free' zones(VA)
timesdispatch.com ^ | 24 July, 2011 | ZACHARY ZALNERAITIS

Posted on 07/24/2011 5:59:49 AM PDT by marktwain

Virginia's top lawyer stands firm on the issue of campus defense. In a recent opinion, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli affirmed the rights of concealed-handgun permit holders to possess firearms on campus despite an apparent conflict with University of Virginia policy.

Virginia's code of law states that a holder of a concealed-handgun permit may possess a handgun anywhere except "in places where such possession is prohibited by law."

As Cuccinelli points out, the policies of the University of Virginia do not hold the force of law and therefore cannot restrict where permit holders may carry. In addition, were the total ban to be made into statute — and therefore hold force of law — it would be found unconstitutional by previous rulings of the Virginia Supreme Court.

This decision ensures, at least temporarily, that lawful citizens will not be prevented from defending themselves simply because they cross an arbitrary boundary onto university property.

The issue of concealed carry on campus centers on the conflict between those who believe that firearms have no place in academic areas and those who believe that individuals who have the ability to defend themselves everywhere else should have the same ability on university campuses.

The University of Virginia, like most public universities, maintains an open campus, meaning members of the public can come and go as they please. However, current university policy states that no person other than a law enforcement officer may possess or store a firearm or other weapon on campus.

At first glance, this may appear to be a sensible policy, unless one examines its enforceability. On an open campus, there are no security checkpoints controlling who enters and exits — and no means of preventing weapons from entering the campus.

(Excerpt) Read more at 2.timesdispatch.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: banglist; campus; ccw; constitution; cuccinelli; va; vatech; virginia
Leftists in charge of Universities hate the idea of people having individual authority over their own lives.
1 posted on 07/24/2011 5:59:54 AM PDT by marktwain
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To: marktwain

Leftists also like massacres with firearms. It gives them an excuse for gun control.


2 posted on 07/24/2011 6:21:04 AM PDT by Scotsman will be Free (11C - Indirect fire, infantry - High angle hell - We will bring you, FIRE)
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To: marktwain

“most public universities, maintain...an open campus, meaning members of the public can come and go as they please.”

Yes. And some of them are very big campuses, or not in the nicest parts of a city/town. Walking to a parking lot in BFE after a night class is not a pleasant thing to do with books in your arm.


3 posted on 07/24/2011 6:24:56 AM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto.)
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To: combat_boots
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is in downtown Richmond smack dab up against some really nasty neighborhoods.

Murders happen on campus with some regularity.

4 posted on 07/24/2011 6:46:55 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: marktwain

some day the universities in this country are going to have to grow up.


5 posted on 07/24/2011 6:50:37 AM PDT by ken21 (liberal + rino progressive media hate palin, bachman, cain...)
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To: ken21

Tenure hould be abolished,for a start.


6 posted on 07/24/2011 7:12:12 AM PDT by hoosierham (Waddaya mean Freedom isn't free ?;will you take a credit card?)
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To: hoosierham

agree.


7 posted on 07/24/2011 7:13:02 AM PDT by ken21 (liberal + rino progressive media hate palin, bachman, cain...)
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To: marktwain

“President Cuccinelli” has a nice ring to it.


8 posted on 07/24/2011 8:03:34 AM PDT by Library Lady
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