Ball State does not allow any firearms or weapons on campus, but Wesley Jones, a junior sociology major, hasn’t always remembered that rule.
More than once before, the student who served two Army combat deployments in Iraq said he has forgotten a firearm was attached to his hip, from force of habit, before he went to class.
“I was more afraid of getting expelled than the gun accidently [becoming visible] to a bunch of people,” said Jones, who has served two Army combat deployments in Iraq. “I’d be in like a cold sweat in a classroom because I had my firearm with me. As soon as I could, I would go back and put it in my car.”
Under a new Indiana Senate Bill, students could have the opportunity to exercise what Jones, and many others, call their Second Amendment rights.
Sen. Jim Banks, (R-Columbia City), introduced Senate Bill 97 to the Indiana General Assembly, which prohibits state agencies, including public universities like Ball State, from regulating the possession of firearms, ammunition or firearm accessories on the grounds the institution is on as well as in its buildings. Banks said the law would prevent rapes on campuses, according to the Associated Press.
If Senate Bill 97 was passed, students with gun permits would be allowed to bring their firearms on campus. Indiana is one of 23 states which currently allows each college or university to make the decision on whether or not concealed carry weapons are allowed on their campuses.
Ball State does not allow any weapons on campus, and offenders may be subjected to criminal charges. Joan Todd, executive director of public relations, said administrators stand by the policy, despite recent events such as the Newtown shootings.
A Facebook group called “Students for Concealed Carry on Campus at Ball State University” was started in December 2012. Recently, the group has urged its 63 followers to write President Pro Tempore of the Indiana State Senate David Long, to show him their support for Senate Bill 97. No one from the group could be reached by the Daily News on Monday.
Jones said he would feel comfortable if a large number of people would carry guns in a lecture hall.
“Those people who have permits and who carry are some of the more responsible people,” he said. “It’s not going to turn bad grades into shootouts.”
Jason Pickell, a freshman political science major, said he would feel uncomfortable knowing that fellow students or professors are carrying guns on campus, because he can’t even trust himself with a gun.
“I’m not against guns, but I believe that having concealed carry on campus is not going to make the university or campus any safer,” he said. “What happens if two people get into an argument? Are they going to solve it with fist fights or are they going to solve it with guns?”
Colorado is one of five states that allows the concealed carry of firearms on campus, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures website. Jerry Peterson, a professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder, told his students that he would cancel class if he found out anyone was carrying a firearm during his class, according to the Denver Post. CU-Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano then rebuked Peterson’s statement, since it would be breaking a state law.
Joe Losco, chairman of the political science department, said he would be uncomfortable having concealed weapons in a political science classroom because of heated debates.
“We discuss some very controversial issues,” Losco said. “Sometimes, people get very emotional because of those issues. Sometimes, emotions can lead to hostile actions. Certainly, if there are firearms around, I would feel less secure.”
Jeff Burke, owner of McGalliard Guns and More, said while a spike in business could be explained by the holiday season and hunting seasons, some students have purchased guns for self protection and for the fear that they may not be able to buy guns for much longer, if national gun control laws are changed.
Pickell said even if laws are changed, students will still be uncomfortable.
“I think it is going to create an uncomfortable environment for those who do not want to carry a gun knowing that some other people in their classes or on campus may have a gun,” he said. “The status quo has worked so far. Yeah, there has been some shooting on college campuses, but just having guns isn’t going to solve it.”
