Allowing concealed firearms could thwart school shooting

Editor,

Using students to assist the UNM Police Department in keeping track of the school is an excellent idea, and the idea raises another idea in my mind - one that may inflame the sentiments of many students on campus.

Campus shootings invariably happen in areas that are referred to as gun-free zones. New Mexico has a process for allowing citizens to carry a concealed firearm for personal defense. Why not allow licensed students and faculty members to carry concealed arms on campus? Some people will claim that this will increase the potential for campus violence. Concealed-carry permit holders are required to pass a stringent exam and prove proficiency with their chosen firearm. Providing permit holders a way to carry on campus will not make it easier for firearms to be smuggled on campus, either. A person who wishes to enter the campus with an illegal firearm is not going to be dissuaded by signs or student handbook policies that prohibit all firearms on campus (outside of UNMPD).

If a school shooting should take place at UNM, campus police will not be able to instantly respond. Every second their response is delayed is a second that an innocent person can be killed. Imagine: Instead of desperately trying to escape the gunman, one or more students would be able to draw their personal firearms and drop the gunman in his or her tracks. If we are going to honestly explore every avenue for the protection of our students, faculty and staff, then I believe we need to give students the option of defending themselves and their classmates within the time that it takes for UNMPD to respond.

The UNMPD is a wonderful organization, and I do not intend to cast any aspersions on them or their abilities. I simply want to point out that to rely exclusively on an immediate response by the UNMPD is asking for more of UNM's students, faculty and staff to be wounded or killed, and that by allowing people the option to defend themselves, we give more people the chance of surviving if the worst ever does happen.

Austin Burke

UNM student