Spring Break
COMMENTARY: Guns have no place in classrooms
Brandon Wilson
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Opinion
There are some things we as students never expect to see in a classroom. Things that are not a natural fit in that environment. I thought one of those things was a firearm of any kind. But, apparently I was wrong.
I was in a sociology class not long ago and noticed that an off-duty Bowling Green police officer was in the room. He was in his full uniform, including his utility belt, gun in holster.
Just thinking about it now, I am still in shock. A gun in a classroom! This is by far the dumbest thing I have seen as a Western student. There is no excuse for this. I do not care that he is an officer.
I was discussing this with some of my classmates and I am convinced that there is no logical reasoning for this officer to have his gun.
First of all, lets say he doesn't get out of class until 30 minutes before he is supposed to be at work. I don't care. If he can't find a place to lock his gun up until he is on duty, then he should reschedule his classes so that he gives himself more time.
Someone even argued that if something happened he could provide protection. Well, what if it happened to him? Now there is a gun in the room and anyone has access to it. If it were someone with a knife, then now the situation has become much more dangerous. God forbid it was a person with another gun, because now that person has more ammo.
This is a school. Have we all forgotten about what happens with guns in classrooms? I cannot think of one good thing that has happened with a gun in that environment, but a number of tragedies do come to mind.
The least of my concerns about this is that a gun in a classroom does not create the type of relaxed atmosphere that students desire in the classroom. There is no way that a gun will ever comfort me while I am trying to learn about Karl Marx's views on society.
And I am not even opposed to people owning guns. For all I care, an individual could own a fully automatic assault rifle and be using it for spotlighting herds of deer. As long as you keep it away from me in public settings, then fine.
This officer was obviously off duty at the time and did not have to be fully equipped. If he cannot arrange his work and school schedules in a more conducive way, then he should drop a class.
From what I understand, it's the law, not Western's policy, that says it's OK for an off-duty officer to carry his weapon if he chooses to do so. I understand the law, and I still disagree.
Our university buildings are supposed to be firearm-free. That rule should not change just because a person has a badge on their chest, unless they are there on official police business.
This was an idiotic sight to behold, and I never thought this was something I would ever have to write about. There was no excuse for this individual to be in possession of that firearm at that time. I do not care about any issues in this individual's personal life that might have made it a hindrance for him to have not brought his gun. Billy club, fine; pepper spray, fine; handcuffs, fine; but a firearm, no.
If I see this again I will have to address it with the department head. I pay my tuition to come to school here, and at the very least I should have the guarantee of a safe and relaxed study environment.
Simply put, under no circumstances should I ever see a gun in a classroom. Leave it behind. I do not care what you do with it, but do not bring it into a room full of people who are concentrated on achieving higher learning.
Brandon Wilson is a senior news/editorial journalism major from Nashville.
The opinions expressed in this commentary do not reflect the opinions of the Herald or the university.
I was in a sociology class not long ago and noticed that an off-duty Bowling Green police officer was in the room. He was in his full uniform, including his utility belt, gun in holster.
Just thinking about it now, I am still in shock. A gun in a classroom! This is by far the dumbest thing I have seen as a Western student. There is no excuse for this. I do not care that he is an officer.
I was discussing this with some of my classmates and I am convinced that there is no logical reasoning for this officer to have his gun.
First of all, lets say he doesn't get out of class until 30 minutes before he is supposed to be at work. I don't care. If he can't find a place to lock his gun up until he is on duty, then he should reschedule his classes so that he gives himself more time.
Someone even argued that if something happened he could provide protection. Well, what if it happened to him? Now there is a gun in the room and anyone has access to it. If it were someone with a knife, then now the situation has become much more dangerous. God forbid it was a person with another gun, because now that person has more ammo.
This is a school. Have we all forgotten about what happens with guns in classrooms? I cannot think of one good thing that has happened with a gun in that environment, but a number of tragedies do come to mind.
The least of my concerns about this is that a gun in a classroom does not create the type of relaxed atmosphere that students desire in the classroom. There is no way that a gun will ever comfort me while I am trying to learn about Karl Marx's views on society.
And I am not even opposed to people owning guns. For all I care, an individual could own a fully automatic assault rifle and be using it for spotlighting herds of deer. As long as you keep it away from me in public settings, then fine.
This officer was obviously off duty at the time and did not have to be fully equipped. If he cannot arrange his work and school schedules in a more conducive way, then he should drop a class.
From what I understand, it's the law, not Western's policy, that says it's OK for an off-duty officer to carry his weapon if he chooses to do so. I understand the law, and I still disagree.
Our university buildings are supposed to be firearm-free. That rule should not change just because a person has a badge on their chest, unless they are there on official police business.
This was an idiotic sight to behold, and I never thought this was something I would ever have to write about. There was no excuse for this individual to be in possession of that firearm at that time. I do not care about any issues in this individual's personal life that might have made it a hindrance for him to have not brought his gun. Billy club, fine; pepper spray, fine; handcuffs, fine; but a firearm, no.
If I see this again I will have to address it with the department head. I pay my tuition to come to school here, and at the very least I should have the guarantee of a safe and relaxed study environment.
Simply put, under no circumstances should I ever see a gun in a classroom. Leave it behind. I do not care what you do with it, but do not bring it into a room full of people who are concentrated on achieving higher learning.
Brandon Wilson is a senior news/editorial journalism major from Nashville.
The opinions expressed in this commentary do not reflect the opinions of the Herald or the university.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 124
David Gordon
posted 3/01/07 @ 2:00 PM CST
It is difficult to respond to this commentary as Mr. Wilson seems to be out of touch with reality. Brandon, cops are a part of life, on campus and off, even in the classroom. (Continued…)
David Littlejohn
posted 3/01/07 @ 3:15 PM CST
I know that you are entitled to your opinion, but let us think about this. What would you rather have, a officer that protects us day in and day out in the classroom with a gun, or possibly a drunk that causes outburst in the middle of class. (Continued…)
Lacy Harrod
posted 3/02/07 @ 11:42 AM CST
I am really surprised by this story and it has touched a nerve. I agree everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I would rather see a sworn officer in my class room every day than some childish kid sitting in the last row disturbing class. (Continued…)
David
posted 3/02/07 @ 2:26 PM CST
You never know when some eastern terrorists may decide to try and blow up a school or something. Its good that hes there
ClayMeow
posted 3/02/07 @ 2:52 PM CST
I'm having a hard time believing that this person is actually a college student, because normally by the time you are in college, you have some sense of reality. (Continued…)
Justin
posted 3/02/07 @ 3:17 PM CST
"Brandon Wilson is a senior news/editorial journalism major from Nashville."
This is very very hard to believe.... This paper is progressively getting worse and worse. (Continued…)
gotdamojo06
posted 3/02/07 @ 3:59 PM CST
I agree with everyone, it is very hard to believe that an individual with senior status at a University was able to write this, it sounds like a 12 year old child's opinion. (Continued…)
tero41
Terin
posted 3/02/07 @ 4:03 PM CST
This is the worst thing I have ever read!
Mr. Wilson apparently you don't keep up with the news around the country. Just a couple of weeks ago there was a young man who walked into a mall and started killing people. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 3/02/07 @ 5:05 PM CST
It sounds like you just have a problem with police in general. I would much rather have an officer in every class in my University than have 1 student carry one in class. (Continued…)
student
posted 3/02/07 @ 5:16 PM CST
Obviously, many people share the same opinion I have on this article. First of all I just want to say that I feel sorry for this officer who had to find out that one of his own peers was writing a poorly written and offensive commentary about him, and I hope that you will either appologize to him, or that the remainder of the semester in that classroom will be incredibly uncomfortable for you. (Continued…)
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