Spring Break
Clarifying facts in conceal-and-carry debate
RJ Friedman
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Forum
This op-ed is in response to an article published on the front page of The Daily Barometer, "Lars Larson arms argument," on Friday, April 17. Said article, which should have been published in the Forum section, was written by an irresponsibly biased reporter who, blinded by her own ideology, completely missed a rally attended by over 100 individuals, some of whom, according to a Gazette Times article, were armed.
I, as organizer of the event, have firsthand knowledge that there were numerous people "packing" that day, and to the consternation of the anti-gun camp, there were no shootings here at Oregon State University. Yes, that's right - there were armed gunmen here, on campus, including Lars Larson, and nobody was shot.
Not only did the reporter miss the rally that Larson and Representative Kim Thatcher spoke at, but she also published at least two very misleading facts. First, she posted a quote from University of Oregon's Oregon Administrative Rules instead of an Oregon State University OAR. She then alluded to the misconception that no guns were used to subdue the attacker in the Appalachian School of Law's shooting back in 2002. This is false. In fact, two students, acting separately, had to run all the way to their vehicles to retrieve their firearms before confronting the attacker, and, to the dismay of gun rights critics, no more shots were fired, no more innocent people were killed and the attacker, after being confronted by two armed citizens, was subdued.
She also missed the largest Concealed Handgun License class in the history of Oregon, which was held Friday evening here on campus - and yes, all the staff had guns (no one was shot). There are now 175 more people, most of whom are students, who are one step closer to owning a Concealed Handgun License. This class was free, thanks to Jim Jacobe, the instructor.
I would also like to take a moment to respond to Patrick Fancher's April 20 op-ed. In it, he claims that guns do not belong on campus. He gives a few reasons, none backed up by facts. Instead, all he provides are fear-inspired opinions that are extremely misled. He claims that "only accidents and serious injuries would be the results" if "immature" college-aged gun owners were permitted to carry on campus - oh, and he claims that not all CHL permit holders are law abiding citizens.
I, as organizer of the event, have firsthand knowledge that there were numerous people "packing" that day, and to the consternation of the anti-gun camp, there were no shootings here at Oregon State University. Yes, that's right - there were armed gunmen here, on campus, including Lars Larson, and nobody was shot.
Not only did the reporter miss the rally that Larson and Representative Kim Thatcher spoke at, but she also published at least two very misleading facts. First, she posted a quote from University of Oregon's Oregon Administrative Rules instead of an Oregon State University OAR. She then alluded to the misconception that no guns were used to subdue the attacker in the Appalachian School of Law's shooting back in 2002. This is false. In fact, two students, acting separately, had to run all the way to their vehicles to retrieve their firearms before confronting the attacker, and, to the dismay of gun rights critics, no more shots were fired, no more innocent people were killed and the attacker, after being confronted by two armed citizens, was subdued.
She also missed the largest Concealed Handgun License class in the history of Oregon, which was held Friday evening here on campus - and yes, all the staff had guns (no one was shot). There are now 175 more people, most of whom are students, who are one step closer to owning a Concealed Handgun License. This class was free, thanks to Jim Jacobe, the instructor.
I would also like to take a moment to respond to Patrick Fancher's April 20 op-ed. In it, he claims that guns do not belong on campus. He gives a few reasons, none backed up by facts. Instead, all he provides are fear-inspired opinions that are extremely misled. He claims that "only accidents and serious injuries would be the results" if "immature" college-aged gun owners were permitted to carry on campus - oh, and he claims that not all CHL permit holders are law abiding citizens.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Chris
posted 4/22/09 @ 10:13 AM PST
Great post. Thanks for getting the "real" facts out there. Hopefully now we will get less firearm fear mongers posting with no information on the subject. (Continued…)
Thomas Huffman
posted 4/22/09 @ 2:53 PM PST
Very well written, and far more factual than the previous report & editorial which were filled with politically correct hoplophobic garbage. The previous articles in the Barometer were "feel good" nonsense with no facts to back them up; Mr. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 4/22/09 @ 7:32 PM PST
I thank you for this very concise and articulate article, it's a scary fact that far too often no one steps up to answer the prejudicial anti-gun bias articles that appear daily in the media. (Continued…)
Remo Douglas
posted 4/22/09 @ 11:37 PM PST
Thank you for this response, I am a strong supporter of gun carry on campus. The american public should not be a bunch of cows hiding behind police that are on average over ten minutes from the scene, rather, shooters should be terrified of local citizenry. (Continued…)
Colin Marcum
posted 4/23/09 @ 1:04 AM PST
Nicely done Friedman,
You make a strong case for our cause and I am sure that in the near future you will be able to accomplish something towards this end. (Continued…)
JPC
posted 4/23/09 @ 6:24 PM PST
Mr. Friedman,
There's one serious flaw in your article. You put forth some facts and use specific examples to highlight the benefit of having licensed carriers utilize their right on campus. (Continued…)
TML
posted 4/24/09 @ 10:36 AM PST
Mr. Friedman,
You talk about paranoia as if the desire to carry a gun on a college campus isn't inspired by paranoia.
As the president of College Republicans, where is your faith in police protection?
Instead, you would rather have someone like one of your supporters, Mr. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 4/24/09 @ 1:21 PM PST
TML: Your argument is as misinformed as it is deliberately provocative.
First and foremost: There is no law against concealed carry on campus. The debate, whether the majority of either side realizes it, centers around the student code of conduct (and the faculty code of conduct). (Continued…)
SB
posted 4/24/09 @ 4:16 PM PST
My opinion not withstanding thanks RJ for some fact based anything in the barometer. The vast majority of op-ed in the barometer reads like my middle school essays and it's pretty freaking embarrassing. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 4/25/09 @ 7:08 PM PST
TML,
Would you bet your life on your final comment? Doubt it. And you say you could not learn or focus in a classroom where other students had firearms. (Continued…)
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