Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: News

Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states in the nation that do not issue permits for, or allow people to carry a concealed weapon. (Eric Hiltner / The Daily Eastern News)

Kim Broddock, a freshmen elementary education major, believes having concealed weapons on campus would cause unheralded violence at Eastern.

"I think by having them (it) would put more students in danger," Broddock said. "When tempers flare, I can see students using the weapon as a result which will cause violence on campus."

According to MSNBC.com, students at Ball State University have formed a chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, which was founded after the Virginia Tech shooting. The national organization lobbies state legislators to allow students with legal permits to carry concealed weapons onto campus.

MSNBC.com reported at least 11 colleges and universities already allow student to carry concealed weapons. This is currently banned in 30 states, Illinois being one.

Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, said he is not convinced that the benefit of carrying a firearm on school grounds would outweigh the potential consequences.

"If Illinois changed and enacted the concealed weapons statute, then we would obviously follow that," Nadler said. "In terms of concealed weapons on school grounds…to be honest allowing individuals to carry firearms on college campuses in my opinion would increase the risk of danger, injury and death than not allowing concealed weapons."

He considers Eastern to be a safe campus, but makes it clear that does not mean disputes do not occur.

"I think there is a real danger particularly in young individuals carrying firearms and potentially getting into a dispute and finding themselves resolving that conflict in a way in which the results may not be survivable," Nadler said.

He is not sure how someone would live with himself or herself after possibly shooting someone. He said he or she might go to prison or face serious legal charges and emotional trauma.

"While I think on the surface it might sound like a good idea to be able to have a weapon walking around campus to be able to protect yourself, I think we would become increasingly vulnerable to unintended consequences," Nadler said.

Some universities, such as Georgia's Albany State University, are holding shooting drills. The school had shots echoing across campus as police cars rushed onto the campus with sirens blaring. Several students were on the ground as they noticed a gunman with a hostage. It was all a drill, however, the law enforcement tried to make it as real as possible.

Sami Wonderlich, a freshmen psychology major, said having drills on campus is a good idea.

"I think it's good because in a way you practice for it, God forbid something would happen here," Wonderlich said. "If you are prepared, you'll know what to do."

She said if people prepare for fire drills, then they should prepare for an emergency crisis as well.

Eastern is in the process of having a shooting drill on campus.

Nadler said it could be a comprehensive drill that would include local law enforcement. Last spring, the university did a desktop drill, which presented a simulated scenario.

"(Drills) really challenge people to look through the logistics and increasingly reinforces the importance of communication," Nadler said.

Nadler said, the university is in the process of creating a date and said the campus community will know about the drill before it happens. He wants to train and prepare people, not shock anyone.

Kelsey Klank, a freshman elementary education major, believes having a gun on campus is unnecessary.

"Allowing students to have a gun on campus would escalate the problem," Klank said. "Eastern offers self defense classes."

Vicki Paisley, a freshman journalism major, doesn't understand why students would want a gun on campus.

"It's not necessary here at Eastern because we have emergency poles if people feel they are in danger and we have university police," Paisley said.

Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.

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