In light of the VA Tech shootings, it’s interesting that while the typically anti-gun media tries to fan the flames of the public to support additional gun control measures, quite the opposite is happening in some state houses. From the Tennessean:
Tennesseans who have handgun permits could carry their weapons into state parks legally under a bill on the move in the legislature, and its chances of passing are greater in light of the Virginia Tech massacre, one of its sponsors said.
The proposal to allow permit holders to go armed in state-run parks was introduced well before the slayings of 32 people on the university campus last month.
But Senate sponsor Tim Burchett thinks the killings may have “created a positive atmosphere” for changing the law this year. And House sponsor Frank Niceley said he may push next year to allow college students and teachers with permits to carry handguns on campuses.
The vote on the bill is this week.
It’s already a documented fact that people who go through the training and other classwork necessary for a CCW permit are some of the most law abiding folks in the country.
Incidentally, it’s interesting that while the Tennessee police union seems to support the measure (that would be actual rank-and-file cops on the street), the state Association of Police Chiefs (desk jockeys) does not.
Meanwhile in South Carolina: From the Wilmington Star:
Some South Carolina lawmakers believe allowing people to carry concealed weapons on school campuses could prevent massacres like last month’s slayings at Virginia Tech.
Nearly 20 lawmakers have signed on to a measure that would allow concealed weapons on public school and college campuses. If signed in to law, South Carolina would join Utah as the only states that have laws allowing people to carry hidden weapons on campuses.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jeff Duncan, said Monday that such a measure could have stopped Virginia Tech student Seung-Hui Cho from killing 32 people during his rampage.
“He walked in that building without anybody having the ability to stop him,” said Duncan, R-Clinton, whose bill is set for House debate Wednesday. “That guy was fairly certain no one on that campus other than security had firearms and could protect themselves.”
Rep. Mike Pitts, a retired police officer, said such tragedies can never be prevented altogether but that a “trained individual with a handgun” could contain the damage.
“He could have killed two or three. He could not have killed 32,” said Pitts, R-Laurens, who holds a concealed weapon permit, as does his daughter, a soon-to-be college graduate. “Police are a thin blue line. They can’t be everywhere.”
I’ve always thought it silly to have restrictions on where a permit holder could carry since violence can occur anywhere. Having someone with a CCW could stop it. Besides, if you’re law abiding, you’re generally law abiding where ever you happen to be so you should be able to carry anywhere.
7 Responses to “TN & SC: Bills Expanding CCW”
on 08 May 2007 at 9:39 am # Trevor
Thanks for publicizing this information.
on 08 May 2007 at 9:58 am # ben
A few states, including Oregon, already allow CCW on public elementary and high schools, just for the record. It’s college campuses that are only allowed by Utah.
on 08 May 2007 at 10:41 pm # emj
Thanks for the update on the status of the CCW bill in South Carolina and Tennessee.
I expounded on this issue at my blog:
mbmusings.wordpress.com
Keep up the good work!
on 09 May 2007 at 1:08 am # rb
“it’s interesting that while the Tennessee police union seems to support the measure (that would be actual rank-and-file cops on the street), the state Association of Police Chiefs (desk jockeys) does not.”
Another interesting factoid: in the required video you watch for the carry classes, the CLEO says explicitly “It’s not a right, it’s a privilege!”
on 09 May 2007 at 6:26 pm # Jim Graham
You need to learn from the nightmare we have here in the U.K.
After a similar incident to VT that we had around ‘97, our idiot Prime Minister Tony Blair banned handguns and the gun crime rate has increased by 600%. You are heading the same way in the U.S. if you don’t get rid of the criminal administration in the White House before they trash the rest of the constitution..
on 10 May 2007 at 10:42 am # Kristopher
I have a better solution.
Mandatory Open Carry.
If you want to wander about in public undressed or with your life preserver hidden, get a permit first.
on 16 May 2007 at 3:05 pm # Tim Johnson
Saw the ap article. have sent polite but firm protest email to Rep. Duncan. Have sent appreciation email to Rep. Whipper (d) for his comments, one of which says it all
“You can’t call a bullet back”.