Students should be able to carry concealed weapons

Editor,

I am writing in response to the article about concealed weapons on campus published in the Daily Lobo on Tuesday.

As the campus representative of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, I fully support the right to carry concealed weapons by those with proper licensing.

While carrying on campus may be banned, students carry weapons elsewhere in the community - malls, restaurants and the like. These students act just as responsibly while out at the store as they do at school.

In order to get a license to carry concealed weapons, a person must pass requirements set by the state. It is not the common criminal carrying guns; it's responsible, licensed owners who have undergone a background check.

There are a few other schools that have already allowed concealed carry on campus, including Colorado State University, and there is yet to be an incident of violence there.

Carrying weapons should not detract from a student's learning ability. It is a concealed weapon, so it should not be seen by anyone.

There will be an empty-holster protest the week of April 25. Students are invited to wear empty gun holsters. I stress that these holsters must be empty.

Please visit ConcealedCampus.org for more information. I would, again, like to remind you that I am writing in support of concealed carry on campus by licensed individuals.

Mollie Navarre

UNM student