Idaho is considering a bill to allow guns on its university and college campuses (like my state, Oregon, already does). It has passed a House committee with a recommendation (11 - 3) for passage.
Here is a NYT Op-Ed by Boise State University professor Greg Hampikian, 'When May I Shoot a Student?' Very good - required reading, in fact.
But the best argument against this measure came from someone I know who teaches in Idaho. He put it on his Facebook page a few days ago. I won't identify him to protect his privacy.
I enjoy guns as much as the next person... in Idaho, that is. But guns do not belong in the college classrooms in which I teach. My classrooms are safe spaces for open-minds and a diversity of thoughts, experiences, and worldviews. Key words here: safe spaces. A student or even a faculty member who carries a gun into a classroom destroys this safe space by creating a unnecessary power dynamic and promoting a culture of fighting violence with violence. Please consider helping to keep guns out of my classrooms.
Safe space - I like that.
At times like this I think of Wayne LaPierre's memorable quote, 'The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.' The only thing wrong with that approach is how can you reliably discern the good guys from the bad guys? Two 'good guys' might mistake each other for 'bad guys' and shoot it out on the Quad.
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral - 21st century version ......Can't wait.
"I want to applaud the Legislature’s courage. On a final note: I hope its members will consider my amendment for bulletproof office windows and faculty body armor in Boise State blue and orange." - Greg Hampikian
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