POSTED: Monday, February 21, 2011 - 7:12pm
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 12:47pm
EL PASO – The state of Texas is inching towards a law that would allow guns on college campuses, and the news is not sitting well with students at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The measure has support from the state House and Senate, and even Governor Rick Perry is on board. However, some students said they were not in favor of allowing students and professors to have guns on campus.
“I don't think they should allow guns on campus to students. I think the only people that should carry firearms are campus police,” said UTEP senior, Ray Beltran.
Texas has become a battleground state on the issue of whether to allow guns on college campuses. That's partly because of the gun culture, and also its size. The state has over three dozen public universities and over 500,000 college students. Supporters of the legislation argue it's a safety issue, and that the best defense against a gunman on campus is to have students who can shoot back. However, not all UTEP students are sold on that concept.
“I wouldn't even want to come to school...because more people with guns – that's more bullets. Why would that make you feel safer?” said UTEP freshman Ludwika Solis.
Other students said allowing guns on campus can threaten the safety of students, especially if alcohol is a factor.
“Sometimes you have students in dorms. If there's alcohol involved...all these factors when they come into play...can create a much more dangerous situation,” said UTEP senior Alex Munos.
But, one student said, given the proximity of El Paso to one of the most dangerous cities in the world, packing heat, may not be such a bad idea.
“You don't know what it's coming down to nowadays, with the whole situation in Juarez and all the people being involved with cartels,” stated UTEP senior David Reyes.
Meantime, campus police was unavailable for comment.
If the law passes, Texas would be the third state, after Utah and Colorado, to allow guns on college campuses.