Spring Break
Can guns stop crime?
Concealed-carry advocate thinks gun ban is a risk to student safety
Kristin Snowberger
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: News
Hahn has been around guns his entire life; his grandfather was a collector and Hahn began using them on hunting trips when he was about nine. Now 25, he is licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
The permit process is rather stringent, Hahn explained. He had to attend classes and take a written exam. He was also monitored and graded on his shooting ability as well as his proficiency in handling a weapon, such as cleaning it.
In order to qualify for a concealed carry permit, an extensive background check is performed. Violent or assault charges - even misdemeanors - would prohibit one from being licensed. Applicants also cannot have a conviction involving drugs on their record. They also would be denied if they've been convicted of resisting arrest within 10 years.
Hahn currently owns seven weapons, among them a Sig Sauer .45, a Glock 9mm and a Romanian AK-47.
Those involved in SCCC point to crime rates, arguing they create a need for concealed weapons on campus. And when crime occurs on campus, it tends to be big news.
On Friday, two men car-jacked a UA student in a parking lot at Buchtel Avenue and High Street. One of the men brandished a gun.
On Oct. 1, five juveniles between the ages of 13 and 16 reportedly attacked a 21-year-old student. One of the youngsters had a gun, police said.
Days before, on Sept. 28, two students were attacked and robbed at two different locations just four minutes apart. These incidents were the most recent in a fall semester already marked by violence.
The University of Akron, however, is not unique among college campuses.
Last week, a student at Moravian College in Pennsylvania was stabbed twice after she attempted to fight off a robber.
A student attending Missouri's Drury University was robbed last week as she walked to her car. A man demanded the student's purse while pointing a gun at her.
On Sept. 26, a student at St. John's University in New York was apprehended after he was observed walking on campus with a rifle. He was also wearing a mask.
Hahn thinks these types of incidents could be avoided if students were allowed to arm themselves.
He said that the recent crimes involving UA students indicate that no one is safe when the criminal has a gun.
It doesn't matter if you're male or female or if you're alone or in a group, he said.
If a robber has a gun, it doesn't matter how many people he's taking on but, Hahn pointed out, if the student has the gun, then he'll probably be OK, even if he is up against a large group of assailants.
The permit process is rather stringent, Hahn explained. He had to attend classes and take a written exam. He was also monitored and graded on his shooting ability as well as his proficiency in handling a weapon, such as cleaning it.
In order to qualify for a concealed carry permit, an extensive background check is performed. Violent or assault charges - even misdemeanors - would prohibit one from being licensed. Applicants also cannot have a conviction involving drugs on their record. They also would be denied if they've been convicted of resisting arrest within 10 years.
Hahn currently owns seven weapons, among them a Sig Sauer .45, a Glock 9mm and a Romanian AK-47.
Those involved in SCCC point to crime rates, arguing they create a need for concealed weapons on campus. And when crime occurs on campus, it tends to be big news.
On Friday, two men car-jacked a UA student in a parking lot at Buchtel Avenue and High Street. One of the men brandished a gun.
On Oct. 1, five juveniles between the ages of 13 and 16 reportedly attacked a 21-year-old student. One of the youngsters had a gun, police said.
Days before, on Sept. 28, two students were attacked and robbed at two different locations just four minutes apart. These incidents were the most recent in a fall semester already marked by violence.
The University of Akron, however, is not unique among college campuses.
Last week, a student at Moravian College in Pennsylvania was stabbed twice after she attempted to fight off a robber.
A student attending Missouri's Drury University was robbed last week as she walked to her car. A man demanded the student's purse while pointing a gun at her.
On Sept. 26, a student at St. John's University in New York was apprehended after he was observed walking on campus with a rifle. He was also wearing a mask.
Hahn thinks these types of incidents could be avoided if students were allowed to arm themselves.
He said that the recent crimes involving UA students indicate that no one is safe when the criminal has a gun.
It doesn't matter if you're male or female or if you're alone or in a group, he said.
If a robber has a gun, it doesn't matter how many people he's taking on but, Hahn pointed out, if the student has the gun, then he'll probably be OK, even if he is up against a large group of assailants.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 44
Alex
posted 10/09/07 @ 10:05 AM EST
sadly most of these universities have very liberal admin. who think that stopping crime on campus is done by disarming police officers and civilians alike. (Continued…)
Pythias McCummerbun
posted 10/09/07 @ 10:39 AM EST
I've always found it remarkable that those who oppose concealed carry on campus would rely, instead, on pulling out a cellphone and calling for the help of MEN WITH GUNS!!! (the Police -- and as quickly as possible, please!!!) when they were confronted by a criminal. (Continued…)
Pete from Idaho
posted 10/09/07 @ 1:01 PM EST
Good luck to SCCC in their quest to remove the "victim rich environment" signs (aka "gun free zone") from college campuses. Keep in mind that you are in the heart of the leftist, GFW (gun-fearing wussy) world. (Continued…)
mahye
posted 10/09/07 @ 7:30 PM EST
if you put a flock of birds in a pen and taped their wings down and turned a pack of dogs loose on them what chance would they have . school is the same . (Continued…)
its me
posted 10/09/07 @ 7:33 PM EST
Actually anyone injured or killerd on a college campus be a beserk gunman should file a law suite or have one file be the deceased representative against the school. (Continued…)
Big Magnum
posted 10/09/07 @ 7:40 PM EST
There is a reason there is almost no crime on Utah campuses.
Spook
posted 10/09/07 @ 8:14 PM EST
I'm all behind SCCC. I won't go into any business that does not allow concealed carry. I sure wouldn't attend a college campus that doesn't allow me to defend myself and allow a criminal to flock shoot. (Continued…)
John
posted 10/09/07 @ 9:16 PM EST
Campus gun bans should be retained! Why? Because they work so well. No criminals ever violate these bans by taking a gun on a campus, so everyone there is always safe. (Continued…)
Hardtarget
posted 10/09/07 @ 9:38 PM EST
University administrators who prohibit students, faculty & staff from carrying concealed handguns for their own protection are the cause of tragedies such as the Virginia Tech mass shooting, plain and simple. (Continued…)
HH.45
HH.45
posted 10/09/07 @ 10:45 PM EST
Society is always safer when criminals don't know who's armed. And the more armed solid responsible citizens the better!
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