The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

Graphic courtesy of Liv Ream; movie flyer from IMDB
In defense of Skinamarink
By Liv Ream, Arts and Entertainment Editor • October 1, 2023
Alternative Spring Break 2023 volunteers in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Natalie Mowad.
Applications open for Akron’s 2024 Alternative Spring Break
By Taylor Lorence, Correspondent • October 1, 2023
The Northern Cheyenne tribe and community walking the ancient Portage Path from Portage Path CLC to the John Brown Home during a previous years First Peoples Day event. Photo courtesy of Portage Path Collaborative.
UA Holds events in celebration of North American First People’s Day   
By Shananne Lewis, Online Editor • September 28, 2023
White swan on water during daytime photo - Free Uk Image on Unsplash
The Swan's Rapture: a poem
By Emily Price, editor in chief • September 27, 2023
Desperately Seeking an Amazon Fighter, sculpture by Kimberly Chapman
"Easy Prey" art exhibit on display at Myers School of Art
By Taylor Lorence, Reporter, Secretary • September 21, 2023
“On the left, there’s me at work! I received the New Student Orientation “Gold Standard” award alongside 
and at the same time as my friend Gillian.”
Courtesy of Connor VanMaele
Fall 2023 Print Edition: Going the Distance
By Connor VanMaele, Correspondent • September 19, 2023
L to R: Steve Horner, Heather Barhorst, Haley Kuczynski, Shawna Blankenship, Brynley Harris, Jessie Redwine at the Pop-Up Pantry. Image Courtesy of ZipAssist.
ZipAssist Holds Community Resource Fair Tuesday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the SU 2nd Floor
By Shananne Lewis, Correspondent • September 18, 2023
Film critic Liv Ream and friend pose for photo (Image via Liv Ream)
My Barbie experience
By Liv Ream, Film Critic • September 17, 2023

Organization gunning to permit concealed weapons on campus

Heather Beyer

After 16 reported mass shootings in 2012 that resulted in over 88 casualties, the questions of enhancing security measures and reforming gun control are becoming hot-button topics.

Many firearm advocates believe that campus would be safer if students were permitted to carry concealed weapons.

Currently, the Ohio Revised Code prohibits concealed carrying on any premises owned or leased by any public or private college, university, or other institution of higher education, unless the handgun is in a locked motor vehicle or the licensee is in the immediate process of placing the handgun in a locked motor vehicle.

Kurt Muller, a University of Akron School of Law alumnus, firmly believes that permitting concealed weapons at the university would reduce crime and increase security.

“Concealed firearms should be allowed on campus for the same reason they are allowed everywhere else in Ohio,” Muller said. “Criminals do not respect arbitrary boundaries. Law-abiding citizens who carry everywhere else they go and are responsible everywhere else will be just as responsible on campus too.”

Muller serves as the director of strategy for the organization “Students for Concealed and Carry.”

According to concealedcampus.org, “The group was founded after the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007, and has already helped reform firearm regulations in six states, most recently by bringing suit in Colorado where a state Supreme Court victory brought the number of colleges allowing concealed carry to over 200. Six more states are considering similar changes.”

UA freshman Matthew Mansell serves as the campus leader for the organization “Zips for Concealed and Carry.”

“Zips for Concealed Carry” has two main functions, Mansell said. The first is to dispel the common myths and misconceptions about concealed carry on college campuses, by making the public aware of the facts. The second function is to push state legislators and school administrators to grant concealed handgun license holders the same rights on college campuses that those licensees currently enjoy in most other unsecured locations.

Mansell said, “‘Zips for Concealed Carry’ fully supports states’ rights. Its policy is to push for change at the state level, rather than at the federal level.

“The first step is to see the laws in many states amended to remove statutory prohibitions against concealed carry on college campuses. The next step is to see other states follow Utah’s lead in prohibiting state-funded colleges from refusing to honor state-issued licenses,” Mansell said.

University of Akron Chief of Police Paul Callahan said that he understands students’ concerns but he does not think allowing “blanket concealed carry everywhere is the answer.”

“I do not think it is conducive to a proper learning environment,” Callahan said. “It makes it difficult for first responders to know who is a suspect and who is the innocent student.”

That is not the only reason Callahan said guns on campus should not be permitted.

“We have special circumstances here on campus which affect the state law differently,” he said. “We have a high school and a day care which call for additional restrictions to
concealed carry.”

According to the Ohio law regarding concealed carried weapons, if licensed conceal and carry gun owners find themselves in a situation where they have to use their firearm and the police are called, gun owners need to inform officers that they do have a licensed handgun. They should also keep their hands in plain sight and not touch the handgun. Most importantly, they should comply with all officer commands.

“Police in Ohio already have to make this friend/foe determination everywhere else they might go since concealed carry is legal in Ohio,” Muller said. “The good guy will follow the police officer’s command to put down a firearm. In response to a threat, the only person guaranteed to be there is the ‘bad guy’ and the would-be victim.”

Muller said that the victim needs to have immediate options to respond to the immediate threat.

“Waiting five minutes for the police to show up will be too late,” Muller said.

UA Nursing student Angie Grace said she is concerned about allowing concealed weapons to be permitted on campus.

“I think it is not safe,” Grace said. “If I knew people were walking around campus with guns, I probably wouldn’t want to go here.”

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All comments that are well-informed, civil and relevant to the story are welcome. To leave a comment, please provide your name and email address. The Editorial Board reserves to right to remove any comment that is submitted under false pretenses or includes personal attacks, libel, hate speech, profanity, spam or inaccurate/misleading information. All comments are screened and are generally approved unless they are found to be found in violation of these standards. Readers who notice comments that appear to violate these standards are encouraged to contact the Online Editor at [email protected].
All The Buchtelite Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *