I was initially in favor of allowing concealed carry guns on University System of Georgia campuses. However, after conversations with concealed carry advocates, members of the Board of Regents, members of the Georgia Tech administration and many students, I came to realize that allowing concealed carry on university campuses will not create a safe environment for students.
With student body presidents from eight different campuses, I signed a letter to elected officials expressing opposition to this measure. While this sentiment does not canvass every student’s opinion, our words stem from conversations and experiences that we have had in our leadership roles. For the first time, opposition to concealed carry has been publicly conveyed by all 19 members of the Board of Regents and the University System chancellor.
Maintaining the classroom environment as gun-free is critical to fostering open, balanced and non-threatening discussions, especially given the already high stress levels among many students. The collegiate environment is unique in its environmental risk factors that make the introduction of any gun a dangerous proposal. Students live and work in close proximity and constantly feel the pressure of schoolwork, finances and issues with friends and family. Add the prevalence of alcohol consumption and even substance abuse to the mix, and you often find an environment that is unusually conducive to physical conflicts and emotional breakdowns.
In the tragic case of an active shooter on campus, having guns present could undermine our campus safety officials’ ability to adequately protect students; officers can more easily identify potential criminals with guns. Time magazine stated that New York City police officers are able to hit their target 18 percent of the time in gunfights. An average student or faculty member, not having undergone rigorous law enforcement training, is likely to fare far worse, further complicating an already chaotic situation and unintentionally harming innocent bystanders.
Unfortunately, the topic of concealed carry is a byproduct of and overshadows the more critical issues on our campus: mental health and campus safety. Committing more resources to bettering the learning environment, and reducing the unnecessary stress students face, would go further in reducing crime, improving student life and changing the national approach.
Most crimes as reported by Clery Act alerts occur on the peripheries of campus where lighting at night is inadequate and little foot traffic exists. Adding more street lighting and enhancing transportation alternatives for those who live off campus could go a long way to address these concerns without the need for firearms.
Ultimately, concealed carry would likely make college campuses a more dangerous environment. Even if one could make an argument otherwise, it would be irresponsible to do so before addressing the bigger issues of mental health and campus safety.
