The petition
Across our nation, there is a disturbing trend—massacres in so-called gun-free zones. From Virginia Tech to Northern Illinois University, people with evil intentions bring weapons to school, where none are permitted, and kill innocent students with impunity. Something must be done to stop such a tragedy from happening at the University of Colorado.
Gun-free zones have proven ineffective. Criminals do not respect gun-free zones any more than they respect human life. Gun-free zones only disarm victims.
In Colorado, students, faculty, and staff legally permitted to carry a concealed firearm while traveling about their daily lives face sanction if they choose to bring that firearm to campus, where they work, study, and spend most of their time. Banning licensed concealed carry on campus effectively bans self-defense.
These law-abiding concealed carry license holders have been subjected to an extensive background check, confirming that they have never been convicted of a felony, violent crime, or domestic abuse, and have no history of drug/alcohol abuse or mental illness. They have received training in how to safely handle a firearm, as well as when they are legally authorized to use a firearm. They are over 21-years-old and they carry their firearms completely out of sight, concealed under their clothing. The State of Colorado trusts these men and women to act responsibly, and that trust is backed by facts.
Since Colorado's concealed carry law was passed in 2003, over 27,000 concealed carry licenses have been issued. Since then, fewer than 1% of concealed carry licenses have been rescinded. Safe, responsible concealed carry is the norm in all 48 states that allow citizens to carry. The University of Colorado would not be the first university in the state to allow students, faculty, and staff to exercise their right to carry on campus. Colorado State University has allowed concealed carry license holders to exercise their rights on campus for over 10 semesters and none of the wild-west scenarios envisioned by anti-gun activists have come to pass.
If concealed carry license holders can be trusted to protect themselves, those they love, and those around them almost everywhere else in the state where security and metal detectors are not in place, why can't they be trusted at the University of Colorado? The presence of an armed adult student or professor at Virginia Tech or Northern Illinois University could have saved innocent lives, even without firing a shot. The deterrent effects of allowing concealed carry are well documented by University of Maryland statistician John Lott, and others. Armed students, faculty, and staff can also deter more common crimes like rape, murder, and assault that occur on their campuses.
We do not want a gun in every student's or professor's hands. But, it is absurd that someone can legally carry on one side of the street, but cannot cross the street onto campus without breaking the law. A total ban on licensed concealed carry does not improve safety and we have seen that such policies can lead to tragedy.
The illusion of safety offered by gun bans is comforting, until a tragedy like Virginia Tech shatters the illusion. The question going forward is whether we will rebuild the illusion with more gun control, or endeavor to create schools that are actually safer by allowing concealed carry licensees to carry on campus. We choose the latter.
In light of the foregoing, we the undersigned hereby petition the Regents of the University of Colorado to modify the Weapons Control Policy to allow those individuals permitted under Colorado law to carry a concealed firearm to do so on campus. We likewise petition the state government to enact legislation requiring such modification of the Weapons Control Policy.
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