Kwando
05-12-2007, 10:38 PM
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_130221503.html
(CBS4) FORT COLLINS, Colo. Students at Colorado State University are allowed to carry weapons on the campus as long as they have a concealed weapon permit.
Other area colleges, like the University of Colorado, University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado all have tougher gun restrictions that don't permit guns on campus. CSU is now reconsidering its concealed weapon policy.
When former Marine John Weaver goes to his classes at CSU, he said he often carries a concealed handgun.
"I just want to know that if something comes up that I stand a chance of maybe protecting other innocent people," Weaver said.
Weaver has a concealed weapon permit. After the Virginia Tech shootings he bought a bigger gun.
"I had a .22 and I started carrying a 9mm after Virginia Tech," Weaver said. "In class I pay attention, if the door opens suddenly, I look over to see who is coming through the door, but I'm not going like an Old West cowboy or something like that."
Weaver had the weapon during the interview with CBS4 but said it's against the law to bring the gun out and show it.
CSU's concealed weapons policy has been in place since 2004. It has a stipulation that guns are never allowed in dormitories.
University spokesperson Brad Bohlander said CSU's president and the provost ordered a review of that policy in part because of the shooting tragedy in Virginia.
"With the Virginia Tech tragedy, there's new light being brought on the subject and they just want to take a really close look at this policy of concealed weapons on campus and see the there need to be any policy changes," university spokesperson Brad Bohlander said.
"They determined (in 2004) that there was not the concrete evidence to say either it is safer of it is not," Bohlander said. "So they simply determined to follow the state law."
CSU officials said there is no timeline for a decision on whether to maintain the concealed weapon policy.
Students on campus Thursday who talked to CBS4 about the policy review had varying opinions.
"I think it's a right to bear arms," student Kelly Lannan said. "But personally I don't think that you need to carry a weapon on campus."
"I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't have a concealed weapon permit that are still carrying it," student Heath Cronquist said. "So I'd feel safer if you had one."
"I'm kind of against the whole weapon thing," student Holly Bell said. "So it's kind of scary knowing that we can do that here."
Weaver says he thinks that when he's in class, his gun makes everyone safer.
Utah is the only state with a law saying colleges must allow students to carry weapons if they have the proper permit.
Prepared for cbs4denver.com by Matthew J. Buettner, Web Producer.
(© MMVII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
(CBS4) FORT COLLINS, Colo. Students at Colorado State University are allowed to carry weapons on the campus as long as they have a concealed weapon permit.
Other area colleges, like the University of Colorado, University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado all have tougher gun restrictions that don't permit guns on campus. CSU is now reconsidering its concealed weapon policy.
When former Marine John Weaver goes to his classes at CSU, he said he often carries a concealed handgun.
"I just want to know that if something comes up that I stand a chance of maybe protecting other innocent people," Weaver said.
Weaver has a concealed weapon permit. After the Virginia Tech shootings he bought a bigger gun.
"I had a .22 and I started carrying a 9mm after Virginia Tech," Weaver said. "In class I pay attention, if the door opens suddenly, I look over to see who is coming through the door, but I'm not going like an Old West cowboy or something like that."
Weaver had the weapon during the interview with CBS4 but said it's against the law to bring the gun out and show it.
CSU's concealed weapons policy has been in place since 2004. It has a stipulation that guns are never allowed in dormitories.
University spokesperson Brad Bohlander said CSU's president and the provost ordered a review of that policy in part because of the shooting tragedy in Virginia.
"With the Virginia Tech tragedy, there's new light being brought on the subject and they just want to take a really close look at this policy of concealed weapons on campus and see the there need to be any policy changes," university spokesperson Brad Bohlander said.
"They determined (in 2004) that there was not the concrete evidence to say either it is safer of it is not," Bohlander said. "So they simply determined to follow the state law."
CSU officials said there is no timeline for a decision on whether to maintain the concealed weapon policy.
Students on campus Thursday who talked to CBS4 about the policy review had varying opinions.
"I think it's a right to bear arms," student Kelly Lannan said. "But personally I don't think that you need to carry a weapon on campus."
"I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't have a concealed weapon permit that are still carrying it," student Heath Cronquist said. "So I'd feel safer if you had one."
"I'm kind of against the whole weapon thing," student Holly Bell said. "So it's kind of scary knowing that we can do that here."
Weaver says he thinks that when he's in class, his gun makes everyone safer.
Utah is the only state with a law saying colleges must allow students to carry weapons if they have the proper permit.
Prepared for cbs4denver.com by Matthew J. Buettner, Web Producer.
(© MMVII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)