Gun policies must be chosen by universities

[SecularMotion]

The National Rifle Association has never been afraid to make some waves. Their tough stance on the rights of gun owners and gun enthusiasts cannot be questioned. Similarly, there can be no doubt as to the tenacity with which they lobby for their interests. What can be questioned, though, is their capacity for common sense.

Make no mistake, the Second Amendment is vital to our nation’s founding principles, and a reasonable defense of Americans’ rights to bear arms should never be suppressed. Unfortunately, the NRA and many of the legislators they support have taken that defense to an untenable extreme.

Earlier this month in the Idaho legislature, a bill was introduced by NRA lobbyist Dakota Moore that would do something many NRA members might dislike. It would take away local policy control in favor of a centralized government mandate. As the text of the bill itself reads, “It is the legislature's intent to wholly occupy the field of firearms regulation within this state.”

Apparently this is all well and good, provided that centralized government mandate grants increased rights to gun owners. The bill itself would disallow universities, state colleges and community colleges from regulating or banning the possession of firearms on their campuses. Although an exception is made for residence halls and “public entertainment facilities,” there is still extensive disapproval of the bill.

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/opinion/article_ec971a80-a957-11e3-8e76-0019bb2963f4.html

[hack89]

1. No - universities should not have unique powers to limit rights

It is not complicated.

[Token Republican]

2. The whole bill of rights

is being challenged by this kind of thinking.

But Secular is onto something. The is a trend to reduce the bill of rights on campus.


Example and discussion of Universities try to limit First Amendment


Discussion of reduced 4th amendment on college

Of course, if a right can be taken away, then its not really a right.

[pipoman]

3. Sounds like a preemption bill...many states already have preemption

Earlier this month in the Idaho legislature, a bill was introduced by NRA lobbyist Dakota Moore that would do something many NRA members might dislike. It would take away local policy control in favor of a centralized government mandate. As the text of the bill itself reads, “It is the legislature's intent to wholly occupy the field of firearms regulation within this state.”

It eliminates confusing patchwork laws within a state.

[Bazinga]

4. I agree... if that university is private.

Private universities have every right to say "Don't like our policies? Go to school somewhere else."

Public universities, on the other hand, as a service provided by the state and paid for by its citizens, should not have a similar right to deny enrollment to qualified state residents, because they wouldn't have the option to go somewhere else. Disarmament should not be a condition of participating in a public service, unless that service is willing to provide sufficient security for its participants.

[ManiacJoe]

5. The universities need to do better screening of the staff and faculty

if the admins think concealed carry will endanger people.

For students, concealed carry disqualifies all traditional students except half of the senior class due to the age requirements.

[NYC_SKP]

6. If gun hate absolutists and gun grab apologists have their way, it will start in Kindergarten:

We will instill fear and loathing in the little ones with "gun free zone" signs and metal detectors.

We will have zero tolerance policies for gun shape pop tarts, hand gestures, etc.

Oh, wait, we're already doing this!

Good job, gun hate absolutists and gun grab apologists!!!

[Eleanors38]

8. The anti-gun-fetish fetishers are hiding eyes again.

Having run into a legislative brickwall, they seem intent on washing gun images away through a myriad of peculiar and soft rules. Where best to start than in that hotbed of rules fetishers, Public Schools.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. It'll be worse than fear and loathing.

We have already seen children gunned down for nothing more than carrying an airsoft rifle because of the hysteria and assumptions of evil intent.

[Straw Man]

7. Gee ...

... and here I thought most progressives wouldn't approve of local governments deciding which enumerated rights they would like to deny.