Shot in the dark
THE JAMBAR EDITORIAL BOARD
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Opinion
We do not assume that we are always right. More than anything we wish to stir debate. That is why college campuses and news outlets are called marketplaces of ideas. Last spring we pointed out that just because someone expresses a "bad idea" does not mean it should be blocked from that marketplace. We still hold that perspective.
Overwhelmingly, readers of Tuesdays editorial suggested no one cared about Second Amendment rights. In fact, one of you somewhat cleverly rewrote a portion of the editorial to indicate that it was freedom of speech we were somehow attacking.
The truth is however, that guns are banned from campus according to the university's policy, the student code of conduct, and the laws of the State of Ohio. Carrying one is breaking every law a student can break.
But lets speculate for a moment. Suppose we all packed heat, all 14,682 of us. Why not? There's that professor who keeps flunking you, that jock you don't like, your coach who's running you too hard. You don't trust certain people because of their race or color or religion. Youngstown is a bad city and you feel the need to self-protect.
How long do you think it will be before the death toll on campus hits 50? 100? 1,000? Think of how many problems could be eliminated if we all just had our guns. Don't like it … shoot it!
The point of Tuesday's editorial is that we strive to avoid this mentality here. We are only a local state university in the middle of an admittedly troubled city. But at least on campus can learn. We can aspire to something more rational than just attacking that which we don't quite agree with or don't understand.
Yes, it's an idealistic and pacifistic notion. But that doesn't mean it's devoid of sense. Nor is the argument that guns have a place. We merely suggest that a peaceful environment, which seeks to provide education and enlightenment, may not be that venue.
By carrying a gun, we expect we will have cause to use it. How long before our trigger finger becomes itchy? How long before we start looking for a reason to open fire? How long before we have a bad day, and someone provides us just enough of an excuse? Should everyone be at risk because a few people feel their right to bear arms overrules all else?
Here's a paradox for all to consider: We are guaranteed the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But how far can our individual civil liberties extend before they infringe upon those of others?
Overwhelmingly, readers of Tuesdays editorial suggested no one cared about Second Amendment rights. In fact, one of you somewhat cleverly rewrote a portion of the editorial to indicate that it was freedom of speech we were somehow attacking.
The truth is however, that guns are banned from campus according to the university's policy, the student code of conduct, and the laws of the State of Ohio. Carrying one is breaking every law a student can break.
But lets speculate for a moment. Suppose we all packed heat, all 14,682 of us. Why not? There's that professor who keeps flunking you, that jock you don't like, your coach who's running you too hard. You don't trust certain people because of their race or color or religion. Youngstown is a bad city and you feel the need to self-protect.
How long do you think it will be before the death toll on campus hits 50? 100? 1,000? Think of how many problems could be eliminated if we all just had our guns. Don't like it … shoot it!
The point of Tuesday's editorial is that we strive to avoid this mentality here. We are only a local state university in the middle of an admittedly troubled city. But at least on campus can learn. We can aspire to something more rational than just attacking that which we don't quite agree with or don't understand.
Yes, it's an idealistic and pacifistic notion. But that doesn't mean it's devoid of sense. Nor is the argument that guns have a place. We merely suggest that a peaceful environment, which seeks to provide education and enlightenment, may not be that venue.
By carrying a gun, we expect we will have cause to use it. How long before our trigger finger becomes itchy? How long before we start looking for a reason to open fire? How long before we have a bad day, and someone provides us just enough of an excuse? Should everyone be at risk because a few people feel their right to bear arms overrules all else?
Here's a paradox for all to consider: We are guaranteed the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But how far can our individual civil liberties extend before they infringe upon those of others?
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Your Name
posted 11/06/09 @ 10:07 PM EST
"Carrying one is breaking every law a student can break."
Even rape? How about counterfeiting? Littering? Parking in front of a fire hydrant? False imprisonment?
"But lets speculate for a moment. (Continued…)
2010Grad
posted 11/07/09 @ 10:36 AM EST
Yes because It always makes me feel so safe and sound knowing that everyone around me has a gun with them and can use it anytime. And if someone does start shooting then everyone can pull theirs out and shoot each other because we won't remember who started shooting in the first place. (Continued…)
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