Textbooks and .22's : Support for Carrying Concealed Weapons on College Campuses

Abstract

According to FBI records from Columbine until February 2016, there have been a total of 50 school shootings, with 141 people killed as a result of the massacres. Given the recent proliferation of firearm related violence on American campuses, many states have responded to this issue by passing new legislation about carrying concealed firearms. Currently, 17 states ban concealed weapons, 23 states leave the decision up to the individual university, and 9 states allow for carrying concealed weapons on campus. For instance, Wisconsin is one of the 9 states which has provisions for allowing students to carry concealed weapons on college grounds, while the state of Texas also allows concealed carry in campus buildings. The purpose of this study is to examine student and faculty attitudes toward carrying weapons on campus across institutions and states. It is important for legislators to consider student and faculty perceptions on the current issue before making significant criminal justice policies.