VOL. 52, ISSUE 10 | NOVEMBER 17 , 2010
Mace & Crown Student newspaper of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, since 1930
www.maceandcrown.com
ODU College Republicans take safety into their own hands by
Christian Ernst News Editor
Petition for concealed carry started, passing 2000 signatures Safety is always a concern at any university, but has recently become a hot topic at Old Dominion University. The ODU College Republicans have started a petition to allow concealed carry of handguns on campus, which they feel will help safety concerns on campus. The petition currently has 1,100 digital signatures and 1,000 hard copy signatures, according to ODU College Republicans president Chris D’Ambra. The goal is 5,000 signatures, according to WAVY-10 news. “The purpose of the petition is to bring awareness to the President and his administration of the safety concerns that the student body has. We are not safe at ODU and the President continues to tell us that we are,” D’Ambra said. “By allowing concealed carry on campus there would be a form of concealed carry. The criminals would be far less likely risk committing crimes on campus if they knew that students are properly protected,” said Tyler Spires, a member of the organization. The organization has made local news, including WAVY-10 and local radio stations, with their message about the petition. “They can ban us from concealed carrying, but a regular joe blow like you can conceal carry anywhere you want on this cam-
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pus and they can’t tell you you can’t,” said Spires to WAVY-10 news. The university has already released its opinion on the matter. “Like the vast majority of universities across the Commonwealth and the country, Old Dominion University does not permit firearms on campus. The university has a wide range of safety measures in place to provide an environment where members of our community are free to learn and grow,” said a university spokesperson in a release to WAVY-10. Many flyers can be found around campus now as well, with information pertaining to the safety of concealed carry. According to the flyer, Concealed Carry Laws reduce mass public shootings. Also, criminals are less afraid of the cops then a potential victim carrying a gun, according to the flyer. The flyers also outline the group’s posit i o n on the subject, saying they do not want the university t o turn into the “Wild West,” but they want criminals to understand that students are no longer standing for victimization. They feel that students should be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights even on campus, according to the flyer. Many students have taken stances on the matter as well. “I think allowing concealed weapons on campus would open a doorway for potential danger to students and faculty,” said sophomore Alexa Broadnax. “It is a better crime deterrent,” said Andrew Valentine, a junior and member of the Navy ROTC Marine Corps option program. He also said that most people don’t realize that many people already carry knives and that, against some public opinion, many people will still conceal carry weapons including guns onto campus. “I think it’s a horrible idea, for people to carry around guns that
will just create more crime,” said freshman Arya Aminrazavi. People signing the digital petition also had some words about the idea. “Allowing students who go through the measures of applying for a concealed carry permit are not the people who commit gun crimes. It is those who won’t abide by the restrictions that we must protect ourselves against,” said Collin Skogstad, who commented on the petition website, along with signing the petition. “In high crime areas, people need to be able to defend themselves. Only guns can “level the playing field” between a larger male attacker and a smaller female student. Let them carry guns if they are old enough and have the training!” said someone who signed the digital petition anonymously.