Spring Break
Letter to the Editor
Guns on campus
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Forum
Mr. Hill, it is easy to be sarcastic and poke fun at someone's thoughts without using any facts. Unfortunately, all I ever seem to hear from the anti-gun camp is sarcasm.
This, sir, is not a matter that needs to be handled sarcastically. I am sure there were many like you at Virginia Tech - oblivious to the dangers that they could actually face if some sociopath were to ignore the school rules and possible punishment of suspension in order to come in and rack up 32 murder charges before blowing their own head off. You see what I'm getting at? How could we really expect some invisible sign to stop a murderer from crossing the street with a stashed gun, going inside of Milam Hall, padlocking the doors, and murdering all 300 students in that room? We can't. A gun, though, can.
You ever notice how police respond to armed threats? They bring guns with them. "Well, police are better trained to use their weapons," true, but that doesn't explain the fact that 11 percent of police shootings kill an innocent person, whereas only two percent of civilian shootings do, according to studies by Cramer and Kopel.
See, Mr. Hill, when using your airport analogy, you failed to recognize one thing: we don't have airport security on campus. If we did, fine, I'd feel safe, but we don't, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, preventing a Virginia Tech at Oregon State University. This is why I want to be able to protect myself, in accordance with state law.
RJ Friedman
Junior in political science
This, sir, is not a matter that needs to be handled sarcastically. I am sure there were many like you at Virginia Tech - oblivious to the dangers that they could actually face if some sociopath were to ignore the school rules and possible punishment of suspension in order to come in and rack up 32 murder charges before blowing their own head off. You see what I'm getting at? How could we really expect some invisible sign to stop a murderer from crossing the street with a stashed gun, going inside of Milam Hall, padlocking the doors, and murdering all 300 students in that room? We can't. A gun, though, can.
You ever notice how police respond to armed threats? They bring guns with them. "Well, police are better trained to use their weapons," true, but that doesn't explain the fact that 11 percent of police shootings kill an innocent person, whereas only two percent of civilian shootings do, according to studies by Cramer and Kopel.
See, Mr. Hill, when using your airport analogy, you failed to recognize one thing: we don't have airport security on campus. If we did, fine, I'd feel safe, but we don't, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, preventing a Virginia Tech at Oregon State University. This is why I want to be able to protect myself, in accordance with state law.
RJ Friedman
Junior in political science
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 36
Eric Hill
posted 4/14/09 @ 5:55 AM PST
RJ, I'm sorry that all you hear from the anti-gun camp (and, by the way, I'm not anti-gun; I'm anti-gun in my classroom;) is sarcasm. I would be more than happy to argue this sincerely with you. (Continued…)
Tucker Rossetto
posted 4/16/09 @ 9:04 PM PST
Any location where my life may be put in danger is an appropriate place for me to possess the methods to defend myself, whether that be a church or school or somewhere else entirely. (Continued…)
JPC
posted 4/17/09 @ 7:10 AM PST
Yes, I do carry a gun to church. Read the news lately? Apparently, quite a few killers think church-goers make easy targets.
I love how you get on your high horse and assume I think I'm a hero. (Continued…)
Eric Hill
posted 4/18/09 @ 4:59 PM PST
Glad to know that all you good Christians are willing to bring your your half-cocked weapons to church with ya. By the way, what would Jesus pack? I see the Prince of Peace coming in my classroom with an assault rifle. (Continued…)
JPC
posted 4/19/09 @ 10:55 AM PST
Eric, it's called a CONCEALED handgun license. You won't know who has a handgun. I can wear flip-flops, board shorts, and a t-shirt and you wouldn't see it. (Continued…)
Eric Hill
posted 4/20/09 @ 5:17 PM PST
Thank you, JPC, for explaining the definition of "concealed." For those of you who may not have understood his definition, boys and girls, "concealed" means "hidden from sight. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 4/21/09 @ 8:00 AM PST
What gives you the right to tell me I cant carry in your class, overall saying my life isnt worth as much in your presence? Would you say that to some potential lunatic who walked in carrying his AK47 wearing a "WWJD" t-shirt? I seriously doubt it. (Continued…)
Kyle
posted 4/21/09 @ 4:26 PM PST
Mr. Hill
Your "opinion" about concealed is ridiculous. I have carried and will continue to carry concealed. but do you realize Oregon is also an Open carry state. (Continued…)
JPC
posted 4/21/09 @ 9:22 PM PST
I don't "play" with guns, Eric. I'm way too responsible for that. I treat every weapon as if it were loaded. I never point my weapon at anything I do not intend to destroy. (Continued…)
Chris
Chris
posted 4/22/09 @ 8:47 AM PST
Not once has Eric Hill given a good counter arguement as to why he feels guns shouldnt be on campus. Hes resorted to name calling and insults as his main form of retort. (Continued…)
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