by Todd Pheifer

Created on: March 04, 2008

Guns have no place on a college campus, for a number of reasons. Gun supporters will argue that the recent shootings on college campuses had more to do with the unbalanced personalities of the gunmen than the guns themselves. Furthermore, they will argue that a "gun-free" campus will not deter the determined student from sneaking one on anyway. They might be right on both counts, but it doesn't change the fact that rules do function as deterrents to a certain extent. Here are some specific reasons why colleges should ban firearms.

BIG CROWDS

College campuses are packed with large crowds of young people. Students are jammed into classrooms, dormitories, and student union buildings. When people are crowded into small spaces, conflict is inevitable. When conflict happens, tempers can flare and people can start fights. When fights happen, guns do not need to be added to the equation. Otherwise, anger and emotions can lead to gun violence.

COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE WHO THEY ARE

College is a wonderful time for some people but for others it is a tormented state of confusion as people try to figure out who they are. In addition, some students find college to be a depressing state of isolation as they struggle to find friends. This is another reason why guns should not be readily available.

DARES AND CHANCES

The college campus is a place for pranks, dares, and initiations. This coupled with the fact that college students tend to have a strong sense of invincibility creates an environment that has a high potential for danger. If firearms are accessible to students in these situations, they may be used to push the thrill of the situation. This could lead to fatal accidents.

Granted, some of these examples may be extreme and rare, but rules are often written to help avoid the unusual situation. Rules will not solve all the problems associated with guns, depression, mental illness, and criminal behavior. However, institutional regulations may deter some people who are "on the fence" in regards to breaking the rules. That deterrence might be the difference in saving a life.

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