TexasCHLforum.com

Thanks for clarifying, Dale, and the good point about perspective.

WildBill, I don't know if there is such a thing as a rational fear of guns per se. Since guns have been demonized by the "gun control" folks for quite a while, pointing out the fallacy of "evil, menacing gun lying in wait to spray lethal projectiles all around" stances seems appropriate, though. I fear not having one on my person if circumstances prove that I need it.

with the facts but the main problem is shown your statement shown in bold above. Besides that I'm guessing the administrators' other concerns are that reasonable people can do unreasonable things under stress and that the more carry there is in classroom the more likelihood there is for a problem, especially where there is a lot of immaturity and maybe some students under the influence of a psychotic pharmaceutical or stimulant or alcohol. This is kind of like when there are more and more cars are on the road it's more likely there will a crash and there are drivers with valid licenses that still drink and drive.

The administrations of UT and UH believe the educational environment will be adversely effected with campus carry. They are aware of all the facts and history concerning guns in the US and are still convinced they should not be in classroom. I'm guessing they are being objective in their thinking.

I am not sure I understand your issue with my statement. Do you not also perceive that there are folks with irrational fears regarding guns? The rest of that paragraph speaks to a rational consideration of what a tool is versus what they think it is. As for your analogy about cars on the road, it doesn't seem a perfect fit to me -- cars on the road are being actively used (as is typical) to convey people from one place to another whereas a concealed handgun typically remains in its holster and does not fire a shot.

Being aware of facts and history and letting facts and history guide your decisions and policy-making are two vastly different things as seems evident whenever "gun-control" discussions crop up. History, facts and reason are very quickly sacrificed on the altar of feelings and political correctness. The latter tendency -- exhibited by these university administrators -- is more the antithesis to objective thinking.

I couldn't help it and chimed in with this:

Everyone has an opinion that is their own and everyone is entitled to it. Everyone is also entitled to bring whatever feelings, single-issue advocacy funded studies and cherry-picked statistics they want into a discussion. This is true in rational human discourse. It is also true that facts and demonstrable truths are not so personal. At issue is simply denying (or not) the right of a properly licensed person (as stated by others at least 21 years of age and passed a background check) to have a tool concealed on their person that can be used to project force -- a concealed handgun -- in the specific environment of a public university.



Fact: Licensed concealed carry of a handgun in Texas was enacted in 1995.

Fact: Since then, licensees have proven to be vastly more law-abiding than their unlicensed peers.

Fact: It is against the law to use a firearm to intimidate or harm another person except in very specific circumstances typically amounting to a clear and present existential threat.

Fact: Licensees have been informed of this and other laws -- and remain more law-abiding than their peers.

Fact: Violent criminals exhibit criminal behaviors -- including ranging into so-called Gun Free Zones with guns to perform violent acts.

Fact: The surest and swiftest way to stop a violent attacker is to return violence to him/her RIGHT NOW, with the tools at hand.

Fact: Tools that can project force further than arms reach are likely more effective against an armed attacker using similar tools.

Fact: The police (if not already engaging the attacker) will bring these same tools later (after at least some damage is done), and you call them because you want them to bring these tools.



I understand that many folks are simply scared of guns and abhor the thought of anyone around them either having or carrying them. The person using the gun to harm others is the problem, though, rather than the gun. Without that person putting his/her will into action by using the tool (gun, knife, axe, chainsaw, car, or whatever else), there would be no fear or heartache.



Virtually all of us (excepting thugs and similar violent criminals) don't wish harm to anyone except in cases where someone is presently trying to harm us or our loved ones. In such cases, regardless of locale, yielding a monopoly of force options to the attacker is simply stating that the attacker's life is more important than your (peaceable) life. I reject that idea and am therefore pleased that the Texas Legislature and Governor enacted licensed, concealed campus carry.