The controversy over campus carry laws.
Opinion Summary 3. In this assignment, you are going to examine the controversy over campus carry laws. These are laws that are allowing individuals who are licensed by their state to carry a concealed weapon to do so on college campuses. This has created controversy from individuals who believe this will make some feel uncomfortable knowing that any person on campus (student, staff, faculty or administrator) could be carrying a concealed weapon while on campus. Others believe this provides another layer of security in the case of an active shooter or terrorist incident.
Georgia passed the campus carry law under O.C.G.A. §16-11-127.1(20). Look up and review this statute. Then identify two other states that has passed a campus carry law and compare and contrast them to the Georgia statute (e.g., the wording, any exceptions, punishments, etc.). Also, discuss whether or not you agree with the Georgia statute, including whether you would carry a concealed weapon yourself (if you are a licensed CCW permit holder or plan to obtain a CCW in the future) and how you feel about other students and faculty carrying concealed weapons on campus and in classrooms. Provide some statistical data about campus carry to support your position.
Write your summary, in a minimum of 400 words, in a Word document (.doc or .docx), using appropriate APA format. If you choose to include the prompt in your document, the prompt does not contribute toward the minimum word count.
Opinion Summary 4. Visit the website https://www.taser.com/. This is the website for Axon, formerly TASER International. On the homepage, under the About Us tab, you will find two links: TASER Self-Defense and Axon Law Enforcement. Click on the TASER Self-Defense tab and review the products available to citizens for self-protection. Then, select Axon Law Enforcement, and review the various sections across the top (products, solutions, training, careers, news, resources, and support).
Based on your review of this website, provide your assessment of the company and the product. What do you think of the TASER? Do you believe this is an effective law enforcement tool? Why or why not? What do you think about Axon’s products that support first responders other than law enforcement? What about the products available for civilians and self-defense? Do you think that the media has understated the effectiveness of the TASER? In other words, we seem to only hear about the times when the TASER has been alleged to have been the cause of an injury, yet the data do not support this, so why is the media so against it? If you are or were to become a peace officer, would you want to have access to a TASER? Why or why not? Would you purchase a TASER as a civilian for self-defense? Why or why not?
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Write your summary, in a minimum of 400 words, in a Word document (.doc or .docx), using appropriate APA format. If you choose to include the prompt in your document, the prompt does not contribute toward the minimum word count.
Sample Solution
The controversy over campus carry laws has been a hot button issue in recent years, as many states have implemented statutes allowing individuals who are licensed by their state to carry a concealed weapon to do so on college campuses. Georgia passed the campus carry law under O.C.G.A §16-11-127.1(20). which states that those 21 and older with valid licenses may legally possess firearms on public college campuses if they keep them out of dorms, student housing, and buildings used for athletic events, child care or professor’s offices. In Texas, House Bill 910 allowed adults 21 and over with valid concealed handgun license (CHL) to hold handguns openly or concealed in most public university buildings; however it does not allow guns in residence halls or at sporting events. In Idaho Senate bill 1254 allows anyone age 21 and up with an enhanced permit can carry a firearm onto any public college campus except for certain areas such as dormitories and stadiums during games (Idaho State Legislature 2015).
Personally I believe that Campus Carry Laws should be reviewed carefully before being implemented due to safety concerns related to increased gun violence on campus due to ease of access provided by these laws; however while there is no clear evidence of increased violence due to this law there also isn’t any strong evidence demonstrating decreased gun crime due either as well (Tewksbury & Bechtel 2020). My position is that although I agree with some exceptions such as limiting carrying handguns into dorms or classrooms, overall these laws should be revised further before passing them nationally in order for individuals seeking higher education feel safe in learning environment free from fear of gun violence (Decker et al., 2017).
