The Towerlight, February 7, 2011

SIX РАСА HOUSE RAs ABRUPTLY RESIGN PAGE 7| Towson’s campus and community news source | Online daily atthetOwerlight.com Monday, 2-7-11 Twelve states aim for college gun rights Md., Towson U. oppose firearms on campus LAUREN SLAVIN Senior Editor Before the law allowed senior criminal justice major Sean Langan to drive, smoke or drink, he knew how to safely fire a gun. Langan grew up around guns; his father is a retired Secret Service officer who participated in competitive shooting dur¬ ing his career with the federal agency. When he reached middle school age, Langan's father began to take him hunting, Langan shot in the Scholastic Clay Target Program in high school, and he plans on going into law enforcement after graduation. "Guns are not a joke and you always treat one with respect, no matter if its loaded or not,” Langan said. "Basically, if you’re pointing a gun at something, you are planning to destroy it, so it’s never to be messed with. I’m a big safety nut; I don’t like to mess around with people who treat guns disrespectfully.'' While he recognizes that he is no expert on handling guns, Langan feels comfortable going to shooting ranges with friends and introducing them to the basics. But there is one place Langan knows he cannot have and does not want to have a gun: Towson University. "I think the school’s policy on no weapons is not a bad idea," he said. "I think a lot of people on college campuses are just not mature enough [to carry a gun]. Personally, just from my past experiences with some students on campus ... I just don’t trust everybody. I know it sounds a little mean, but it’s true." A new school supply may soon find its way onto college campuses, carried by students as easily as a textbook or pen: concealed weapons. In light of events such as 2007’s Virginia Tech shootings and an attempted assassination of a United States repre¬ sentative on Jan. 8, lawmakers are pushing for legislation that would give students, faculty and staff the right to carry concealed handguns while on campus. Legislation to allow concealed carry on college campuses is pending in 12 states, including Texas, Virginia and Florida, according to Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. This concept isn’t foreign to universities. Utah has allowed concealed carry on all public college campuses since 2006, and Colorado State University currently allows concealed carry and the school’s student government senate passed a resolution in support of student’s self-protection and second See GUNS, page 8 Casey Prather/ The Towerlighl Monday Night Special one large $C99 pizza Jr:r for delivery Valid only at Jerr^s ol Towson. Not valid with other discounts, promotions, coupons or prepaid credit card orders. Limited Time Only. regular $049 cheesesteak О + reg. fries ♦ reg. drink Valid only at Jeriy's o( Towson. Not valid with other discounts, promotions, coupons or prepaid credit card orders. Limited Tune Only. WE DELIVER! order online www.jerrysusa.com 110-321-7827