The debate over the legalization of concealed weapons on Oklahoma college campuses is heating up after Friday afternoon, when an OU professor was attacked in Kaufman Hall by an armed former student.
Advocates for both sides of the argument say the attack represents why their point of view is correct.
Last spring the debate temporarily was silenced when Sens. Johnny Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, and Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, decided not to put a bill that would allow concealed carry on campus on the agenda of a state Senate committee, effectively killing it.
But the author of that bill, Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, has proposed a similar bill this session. He said Friday’s attack is a prime example of why people with specific training should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.
“It’s a case in point,” he said.
Murphey’s proposal, House Bill 1083, would allow college professors with concealed carry licenses to have concealed weapons on campus. It also has a provision that would allow those who have been throuh the Council on Law Enforcement and Education Training certification process, largely current and former law enforcement and military personnel, to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.
Before Murphey’s proposal was killed last year, several state higher education officials, including OU President David Boren, publicly denounced the bill, saying it would be unsafe to allow weapons on campuses.
Murphey said that higher education officials used propaganda to “demonize” members of the military last spring, but he doesn’t think they will be able to do the same to professors this year.
“It’s hard for higher ed. [officials] to demonize teachers,” he said.
Boren, however, said he still believes guns should not be allowed on OU’s campuses. He also said Friday’s incident is an example of why guns should be banned on campus, unless they are in the hands of professional law enforcement officers.
Boren said the attacker did not fire his gun in the incident, but if other people in the area also had weapons, the outcome could have been different.
“I think [it is] just another example of why this [concealed carry] isn’t a good idea,” he said. “In this situation it sure wouldn’t have helped things.”
Murphey said this year’s proposal might suffer the same fate as last year’s — if it is not heard by a House committee it will not make it to the House floor.
Even if the bill does pass through the House, the Senate may refuse to hear it based on the fact that a similar bill already has been killed in committee.
That bill was proposed by Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, and would have allowed law enforcement officials who have been through training with the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to have concealed weapons on campuses.
Bass’ bill might not have affected OU much, though, because members of the OUPD already are allowed to carry weapons on campus. Current Oklahoma laws allow college presidents to give permission to individuals to carry concealed weapons.
Bass said he is not in favor of allowing anybody but trained law enforcement officials to carry weapons on college campuses.
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mfhayes 3 years, 3 months ago
They want a picture of something you can't see.
Good luck!
legalese04 3 years, 3 months ago
The picture used with this article is a horrible example of concealing a firearm. For the most part the general public should never be able to tell when an individual is exercising their CCW permit until a situation might arise when that individual feels the need that the weapon should be used.
mfhayes 3 years, 3 months ago
Haha, "DATS NOT HOW U CURRY A GUNNNNN!!!"
Curter 3 years, 3 months ago
GAH! For a college newspaper that many journalism students take part in, at least LOOK UP the FACTS before you post up INACCURATE pictures like these!
hillelkkiller89 3 years, 3 months ago
It is actually a law that if you are carrying a concealed weapon, it must be CONCEALED, in a holster and out of view of the public. That is the law. Pictures like this are what cause people to have negative views about concealed carry laws and think that those that posses a license have little regard for public safety. If you want an accurate picture of a person carrying a concealed weapon, pick one where it is concealed, not slung in your waistband like some kind of criminal.