Renee GersteinOver a year after the tragic Virginia Tech shooting and just months after the NIU shooting, controversy continues to broil over whether students should be allowed to carry firearms for self-defense on campus.
However, at UT, there seems to be little controversy, as most students and staff seem to feel the same.
“That would be absolutely retarded,” said Junior Corey Rubenstein. “Look at the problems that arise from underage drinking. Imagine if these kids had guns.”
Assistant Director of Security Kevin Howell agrees.
“Alcohol violations with weapons could cause what might be a minor situation to escalate into a deadly one,” he said. “I’d be against anyone, even trained or licensed carriers, to have one on campus, except for trained Security personnel.”
Even students with gun training don’t feel guns should be allowed on UT’s campus.
“I’ve had firearm training and the other cadets have too, I don’t think any student should be allowed to carry a gun because it increases the danger for everyone on campus,” said Sylvio Personna, a senior in the ROTC.
Richard Matthews, professor of English shared a similar opinion.
“It’s too hard to guarantee the safety of students because of the close accessibility to others who have the guns,” said Matthews.
Students on campus feel as though security is not trained well enough to deal with firearm situations.
“We’d have to beef up security,” said Dan Darico, UT student. Security currently carries firearms and is capable of reporting criminal acts on campus, but they are not authorized to conduct arrests.
Some students worry about how relaxed UT security is when firearms are present.
“I had a situation when people thought I had a gun, and security didn’t come check it out until the next morning,” said Michael Martino.
Most states do not allow gun holders to bring their weapons on campuses, and Illinois is one of only two states to prohibit the concealed carry of firearms by licensed gun owners of any location.
The University of Utah, however, allows students to bare arms on campus, and some think that UT and colleges in general should follow their example.
Freddie Langiotti, a UT grad and former Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Officer, is one of those people.
“I think students should be allowed to carry guns on campus, if they have a permit and go through proper training first,” he said. “I have two guns. I use both for protection. I keep one in the house and one in the car