A bad idea
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Commentary
Letter from the editor:
He's an avid hunter, supports the NRA, believes in the importance of the second amendment... and still feels that allowing guns on college campuses is a bad idea. No, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not making this up. He does exist, and he even has a letter published in the very paper you're holding. His name is Paul H. Dean, and he's the Deputy Chief of Police and Emergency Operations Coordinator for the UNHPD.
I caught up with Deputy Dean on the phone Monday evening while he was in Texas to teach a program for the Department of Homeland Security. Having been inundated with letters about how much safer our school would be if only we were allowed to have guns on campus, I asked for his take on the issue.
"I don't think a college campus is the proper environment for it," said Dean. He explained that police officers undergo an immense amount of training throughout their careers on how to handle emergency situations and use their weapons, even though it's unlikely they'll ever have to fire a gun.
"I know how I'm going to react in that kind of situation," said Dean, "but simply having a gun does not make you proficient with that firearm… a firearm in the hands of an untrained person just creates more of a risk." He mentioned that two members of the Strafford County S.W.A.T. Team are on the UNH police force, and said that we should concentrate instead on prevention.
"What we need to be focusing on is identifying members of our community who are in need of help… in every one of these school shootings, there were clues - when they do the autopsies of their lives, certain signs and behaviors are uncovered. If these warning signs are recognized, professionals can respond and intervene."
I would agree, and I am tired of hearing that Virginia Tech and the recent shooting at NIU would never have happened if only students were allowed to have guns on campus. Even if firearms were permitted in dorms and academic buildings, it's no guarantee that those choosing to carry a gun would a) be trained in how to use it, b) know how to react in such a stressful situation, and c) happen to have brought it with them at that particular time.
As college students we are statistically more likely to binge drink and suffer from depression or other mental illnesses than many other age demographics. I see bar fights turning into fatal shootouts, and a distressed student making a rash and irreversible decision to end their life - this is not a crowd of people I want to see armed.
Let's let the professionals do their job.
Helen Hocknell
Editor-in-Chief
He's an avid hunter, supports the NRA, believes in the importance of the second amendment... and still feels that allowing guns on college campuses is a bad idea. No, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not making this up. He does exist, and he even has a letter published in the very paper you're holding. His name is Paul H. Dean, and he's the Deputy Chief of Police and Emergency Operations Coordinator for the UNHPD.
I caught up with Deputy Dean on the phone Monday evening while he was in Texas to teach a program for the Department of Homeland Security. Having been inundated with letters about how much safer our school would be if only we were allowed to have guns on campus, I asked for his take on the issue.
"I don't think a college campus is the proper environment for it," said Dean. He explained that police officers undergo an immense amount of training throughout their careers on how to handle emergency situations and use their weapons, even though it's unlikely they'll ever have to fire a gun.
"I know how I'm going to react in that kind of situation," said Dean, "but simply having a gun does not make you proficient with that firearm… a firearm in the hands of an untrained person just creates more of a risk." He mentioned that two members of the Strafford County S.W.A.T. Team are on the UNH police force, and said that we should concentrate instead on prevention.
"What we need to be focusing on is identifying members of our community who are in need of help… in every one of these school shootings, there were clues - when they do the autopsies of their lives, certain signs and behaviors are uncovered. If these warning signs are recognized, professionals can respond and intervene."
I would agree, and I am tired of hearing that Virginia Tech and the recent shooting at NIU would never have happened if only students were allowed to have guns on campus. Even if firearms were permitted in dorms and academic buildings, it's no guarantee that those choosing to carry a gun would a) be trained in how to use it, b) know how to react in such a stressful situation, and c) happen to have brought it with them at that particular time.
As college students we are statistically more likely to binge drink and suffer from depression or other mental illnesses than many other age demographics. I see bar fights turning into fatal shootouts, and a distressed student making a rash and irreversible decision to end their life - this is not a crowd of people I want to see armed.
Let's let the professionals do their job.
Helen Hocknell
Editor-in-Chief
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 54
Jason Allard
posted 2/19/08 @ 9:16 AM EST
There's a simple solution to this debate.
TRAIN US!
Teach those of us who would like to be allowed to carry how to react in those situations. I work here on campus. (Continued…)
Timothy Boyle
posted 2/19/08 @ 12:42 PM EST
The problem with shootings like this is that generally they happen in GUN FREE ZONES!! If law abiding citizens were allowed to carry weapons in these areas then most of these shootings would not be able to do as much damage. (Continued…)
Jenna
posted 2/19/08 @ 1:55 PM EST
If you would like to be trained to carry a firearm and use it properly in an active-shooter situation, then I suggest that you apply to a police department, get hired, and go to the Police Standards and Training Council Academy to become a police officer. (Continued…)
Is
posted 2/19/08 @ 2:17 PM EST
If I need life saving quick response medical attention then I'd be glad to have you around.
If I need someone to save me from a homicidal maniac then I'll take my chances with the police and thank my lucky stars that some would-be hero can't carry on campus. (Continued…)
Becca
posted 2/19/08 @ 5:25 PM EST
People kill, with guns.
Guns kill.
Guns are inherently violent.
More guns will not decrease violence.
Less guns will.
inherently.
Beth
posted 2/19/08 @ 6:12 PM EST
I'm not suggesting that everyone in the school should have a gun. In fact only people who pass the concealed carry permit class would be able to carry if you got rid of the Educational Zone ban on firearms right now. (Continued…)
Nickle
posted 2/19/08 @ 6:26 PM EST
Well, I see some pretty rampant ignorance of the facts here.
I guess most of you that think self defense is a bad idea don't realize Washington, DC is the least armed city in the US, and has the highest homicide rate. (Continued…)
Tom Brown
posted 2/20/08 @ 12:03 AM EST
I posted on an editorial last week about smoking and the tragedy at NIU along similar lines.
I think Dean is a good guy and from what I know a good cop. (Continued…)
Tom Brown
posted 2/20/08 @ 12:11 AM EST
Oh Helen this is directly addressed to you I forgot in my rambling.
Do you think having a gun free zone... and some of the nations toughest gun laws stopped hindered the young man in Illinois? If people want to be armed bad enough they will be. (Continued…)
Bruce
posted 2/20/08 @ 9:59 AM EST
"And it is just as likely, if not more so, than the ridiculous scenarios laid out above."
Show me ONE instance where the loosening of concealed carry laws have resulted in the scenario you're describing. (Continued…)
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