"and anyone carrying concealed will be carrying on their person, not their bookbag ;)" youre the one who said this... i was in no way saying they'd be carrying properly or improperly when i responded.. as it is now they are carrying illegal if on school grounds anyway lol so whatever sorry for any misunderstanding not why i posted here just wanted to give some positive feedback to those who actually are doing right and hope the higher ups are reading these comments and polls and some necessary changes take place. the students are paying the tuition guys lets take proper measures to protect. you never said what campus u attend and its cool if you dont want to. my girl goes to school at an even smaller college than here and they have actual cops there so whats up highlands?
Jessica - 11 years ago
just because someone is carrying concealed doesn't mean they are carrying improperly - hence "concealed" carry permit.. perfectly legal. & yes, our security could use the training!
JW - 11 years ago
Jessica I didn't mean YOU personally fear nobody that's your perrogative i said some ladies may, more than dudes, thats just how it is and its cool. and so you know for sure everyone who would carry would carry it on their person and not in a bookbag or purse huh? alrighty then. I like what katelyn said if someone carrying properly thats one thing if not they gonna have to hide it anyways and wont have it honest. I have classes in dallas ga and in cartersville ga so again our security folks are great and clearly on a diff level than yours and again even though im a dude i appreciate they offer both students and teachers escorts to their vehicles in the dark. maybe you should send your officers our way for some training peace
Jessica - 11 years ago
I'm all FOR arming our security officers but I, nor any other male or female student in my class, have been offered an escort to or from our car.... idk where you attend classes... also, I'm a lady and the only person I "fear" is the Lord! and anyone carrying concealed will be carrying on their person, not their bookbag ;)
Katelyn - 11 years ago
Do explain why arming security officers would be a mistake? Why have them if they have no defense against something happening? The mistake will be not arming them, and something happening. It always takes someone becoming a statistic to implement common sense.
T. Bickle - 11 years ago
Arm the security officers!? That would be an incredible mistake.
Tracis Bickle - 11 years ago
I don't want your cancer. That is why they fine you for smoking on campus.
JW - 11 years ago
i don't like putting personal info out on blogs and polls like this usually but i wanted to say this: what campus is out in the middle of nowhere? i take classes at two diff campuses one is right downtown the other is on the interstate. the one downtown we have good campus officers but also have a police station right across the block which is nice. our officers even offers to walk students to their vehicles if they feel unsafe our teachers tell us. they're always around in sight too. that is good and they should all be doing it if theyre not. i'm a dude so i don't feel as fearful as some of the ladies may and i dont mean that derogatory just sayin, they need to be able to feel safe but i dont think us students having weapons is the answer i wouldnt feel comfortable sitting in class with a bunch of weapons in book bags knowing some of my fellow students
Katelyn - 11 years ago
"The students complaining about getting tickets demonstrate a level of maturity by doing so" Jessica, this was not directed at you but meant as a generalized statement. Sorry you took it personally. My point was giving tickets is part of their job description and nobody is ever happy to get a ticket. I did not mean someone who gets a ticket about it and complains is immature as a person, I said it demonstrates a level of maturity. As you go through life and get older you develop through your experiences and your views change, i.e. you mature. Maturity is a process that will continue through life. You may very well be mature for your age and experience level but get back with me in ten or fifteen years and see if your views of things have changed. Again, complain about and to the proper people who can implement a change. Have you written letters expressing your concern to the appropriate people? I completely agree they should be out patrolling, however, they need the proper protection necessary to protect themselves and the students AS WELL.
Jessica - 11 years ago
...in response to Katelyn: my maturity has nothing to do with simple observations of the "security" at our campus. I personally have not been ticketed because I do follow the rules! They are not just doing their job, if they were, they would be patrolling all areas of campus (not just the parking lot) and would be HAPPY to get out of their cozy little office and check out something suspicious
Katelyn - 11 years ago
I can see both sides here, but lean toward arming first the security staff and then if there's still an overall feeling of unsafety consider arming staff and faculty. Most colleges now have armed police and I think all should. It's just the way things need to be nowadays. However, the security officers are not to blame here. They are not allowed to be armed- complain about and to the proper people. Security dept head needs to pay attention to this.
I was in a security job for several years and the stigmatization that goes along with being an unarmed security officer is exhausting at times. The students complaining about getting tickets demonstrate a level of maturity by doing so, I.e if you don't want a parking ticket park in the appropriate spot, if you
don't want to be ticketed for smoking don't smoke on campus. Just like the laws of the road if you don't want a speeding ticket don't speed. Pretty simple concept. Most hospitals have a no smoking on campus policy as well now. Their security gets criticism for enforcing it as well. They're just doing their jobs? Again if you don't want to pay the tickets, just abide by the rules. 99% of public places are smoke free now and age is not a factor.
Unfortunately were living in a world many of us don't feel safe anywhere. It's sad and it's not fair, but let's look at the big picture and take the right approach. Don't wait until an incident occurs to get armed security. And hire the appropriate officers - ones who can chase someone if necessary, maybe has some law enf experience, and a good attitude - a true mature officer knows how to treat people with respect and get far more effective results than the one who boasts his chest out at people and is hung up on "status."
A final word, don't forget that the honest people who have weapons permits are not "typically" the ones you have to worry about. Gun control laws / background checks are kind of like small fences around a house - they keep the honest people out. If a criminal wants to break in he's going to. If someone who shouldn't own a gun because of mental health or criminal history wants one, he or she will get one, and not through the proper channels.
SAVE LIVES NOW - ARM YOUR SECURITY !
Nicole - 11 years ago
NO! Some students may have been taught responsible gun ownership and laws, but most have not at their age. Some own a gun they have never even shot! Like someone said above, you get an angry teenager or young adult with a hot temper and a gun and they don't have the experience and maturity necessary to make a good decision under pressure, people are going to end up dead! Or maybe the gun will even be taken away from them and used against them! Campus safety officers should definitely be armed! Why isn't that the poll?? Faculty would be next, NOT students!! Experience and training is so important when it comes to firearm safety - let's leave this to trained officers who have training and knowledge in how to respond to active shooter situations, respond to emergencies under pressure, and effectively diffuse dangerous situations. I completely understand students and their parents feel a need for personal protection this day in age, however, there are other options - arm the correct people first.
cwheelus - 11 years ago
If anyone is allowed to carry on campus it should be college staff and faculty. Yes, CCW required, training course strongly recommended. In the meantime, "bad guys" (and who don't even care about CCW) may already be bringing weapons onto campus and the good guys are not even allowed to have a weapon to put up resistance! That's messed up! At the least, campus safety officers should be allowed to carry a gun on campus.
Ricky - 11 years ago
I think one should take note of the State of Colorado and the State of Oregon. The State Supreme Court in Colorado and the Oregon State Court of Appeals both ruled in 2012 that the universities of the respective states could NOT ban handguns from being brought on campus by those with a valid concealed weapons permit. It's been over a year and a half sense both of those rulings and we haven't read in the news where the universities in those states now are "awash" in gun violence. In summary, unless one wishes to argue that the college students in Georgia are significantly more prone to violence than those of Colorado and Oregon, one cannot argue that allowing guns on campus by those who are trained and have a concealed weapons permit is going to create a "wild west" situation....
Jessica - 11 years ago
Yes, I believe we should be allowed to carry as long as we are legal CCW holders (which I am). Unfortunately, the ONE place I don't carry is at school (it's "not allowed") but it is the place where I feel the most need for it. Many times I have/had classes lasting until at least 10pm, my school is out in the middle of nowhere, and I am a small woman. Our "security" is only interesting in fining improperly parked vehicles ($10 a pop) and students (ADULTS, mind you) smoking, so that the school can profit. I've never seen a single one of them actually patrolling for the SAFETY of students, so why shouldn't we be allowed to have our own safety measures?
student - 11 years ago
As a woman I would feel safer being able to have a small pocket knife in my car but wouldn't be comfortable knowing other students had firearms in the classroom
Albert - 11 years ago
Heck no, that is the most ridiculous thing. People are crazy, you make someone mad, next thing you know, that college is on the news for a student getting shot in class. Just my opinion.
Chris Black - 11 years ago
You have to be 21 in order to be able to carry a concealed weapon and have a valid concealed carry permit. As a retired U.S. Marine and former Deputy Sheriff, anybody who has the credentials to carry needs to go thru a safety training course which they can receive at most of the local department's. Here is the problem if you have not been thru any training then more than likely in the heat of the moment you will not be able to squeeze the round off. The college needs to arm the security officer's before they allow the average student with no training to walk around with a weapon. Semper Fi!
Johnny - 11 years ago
I believe students should not be allowed but teachers should. I would trust a professor with some sort of weapon for self-defense than a stranger on the other side of the classroom, but that's just my personal opinion.
Ray - 11 years ago
Do note that any 'campus carry' rule or law is contingent on already-existing laws. This means that for Georgia, the person must obtain a license from the state, which involves 1) being 21 years of age, 2) passing a criminal background check through both federal and state databases, and 3) passing a mental-health background check.
"and anyone carrying concealed will be carrying on their person, not their bookbag ;)" youre the one who said this... i was in no way saying they'd be carrying properly or improperly when i responded.. as it is now they are carrying illegal if on school grounds anyway lol so whatever sorry for any misunderstanding not why i posted here just wanted to give some positive feedback to those who actually are doing right and hope the higher ups are reading these comments and polls and some necessary changes take place. the students are paying the tuition guys lets take proper measures to protect. you never said what campus u attend and its cool if you dont want to. my girl goes to school at an even smaller college than here and they have actual cops there so whats up highlands?
just because someone is carrying concealed doesn't mean they are carrying improperly - hence "concealed" carry permit.. perfectly legal. & yes, our security could use the training!
Jessica I didn't mean YOU personally fear nobody that's your perrogative i said some ladies may, more than dudes, thats just how it is and its cool. and so you know for sure everyone who would carry would carry it on their person and not in a bookbag or purse huh? alrighty then. I like what katelyn said if someone carrying properly thats one thing if not they gonna have to hide it anyways and wont have it honest. I have classes in dallas ga and in cartersville ga so again our security folks are great and clearly on a diff level than yours and again even though im a dude i appreciate they offer both students and teachers escorts to their vehicles in the dark. maybe you should send your officers our way for some training peace
I'm all FOR arming our security officers but I, nor any other male or female student in my class, have been offered an escort to or from our car.... idk where you attend classes... also, I'm a lady and the only person I "fear" is the Lord! and anyone carrying concealed will be carrying on their person, not their bookbag ;)
Do explain why arming security officers would be a mistake? Why have them if they have no defense against something happening? The mistake will be not arming them, and something happening. It always takes someone becoming a statistic to implement common sense.
Arm the security officers!? That would be an incredible mistake.
I don't want your cancer. That is why they fine you for smoking on campus.
i don't like putting personal info out on blogs and polls like this usually but i wanted to say this: what campus is out in the middle of nowhere? i take classes at two diff campuses one is right downtown the other is on the interstate. the one downtown we have good campus officers but also have a police station right across the block which is nice. our officers even offers to walk students to their vehicles if they feel unsafe our teachers tell us. they're always around in sight too. that is good and they should all be doing it if theyre not. i'm a dude so i don't feel as fearful as some of the ladies may and i dont mean that derogatory just sayin, they need to be able to feel safe but i dont think us students having weapons is the answer i wouldnt feel comfortable sitting in class with a bunch of weapons in book bags knowing some of my fellow students
"The students complaining about getting tickets demonstrate a level of maturity by doing so" Jessica, this was not directed at you but meant as a generalized statement. Sorry you took it personally. My point was giving tickets is part of their job description and nobody is ever happy to get a ticket. I did not mean someone who gets a ticket about it and complains is immature as a person, I said it demonstrates a level of maturity. As you go through life and get older you develop through your experiences and your views change, i.e. you mature. Maturity is a process that will continue through life. You may very well be mature for your age and experience level but get back with me in ten or fifteen years and see if your views of things have changed. Again, complain about and to the proper people who can implement a change. Have you written letters expressing your concern to the appropriate people? I completely agree they should be out patrolling, however, they need the proper protection necessary to protect themselves and the students AS WELL.
...in response to Katelyn: my maturity has nothing to do with simple observations of the "security" at our campus. I personally have not been ticketed because I do follow the rules! They are not just doing their job, if they were, they would be patrolling all areas of campus (not just the parking lot) and would be HAPPY to get out of their cozy little office and check out something suspicious
I can see both sides here, but lean toward arming first the security staff and then if there's still an overall feeling of unsafety consider arming staff and faculty. Most colleges now have armed police and I think all should. It's just the way things need to be nowadays. However, the security officers are not to blame here. They are not allowed to be armed- complain about and to the proper people. Security dept head needs to pay attention to this.
I was in a security job for several years and the stigmatization that goes along with being an unarmed security officer is exhausting at times. The students complaining about getting tickets demonstrate a level of maturity by doing so, I.e if you don't want a parking ticket park in the appropriate spot, if you
don't want to be ticketed for smoking don't smoke on campus. Just like the laws of the road if you don't want a speeding ticket don't speed. Pretty simple concept. Most hospitals have a no smoking on campus policy as well now. Their security gets criticism for enforcing it as well. They're just doing their jobs? Again if you don't want to pay the tickets, just abide by the rules. 99% of public places are smoke free now and age is not a factor.
Unfortunately were living in a world many of us don't feel safe anywhere. It's sad and it's not fair, but let's look at the big picture and take the right approach. Don't wait until an incident occurs to get armed security. And hire the appropriate officers - ones who can chase someone if necessary, maybe has some law enf experience, and a good attitude - a true mature officer knows how to treat people with respect and get far more effective results than the one who boasts his chest out at people and is hung up on "status."
A final word, don't forget that the honest people who have weapons permits are not "typically" the ones you have to worry about. Gun control laws / background checks are kind of like small fences around a house - they keep the honest people out. If a criminal wants to break in he's going to. If someone who shouldn't own a gun because of mental health or criminal history wants one, he or she will get one, and not through the proper channels.
SAVE LIVES NOW - ARM YOUR SECURITY !
NO! Some students may have been taught responsible gun ownership and laws, but most have not at their age. Some own a gun they have never even shot! Like someone said above, you get an angry teenager or young adult with a hot temper and a gun and they don't have the experience and maturity necessary to make a good decision under pressure, people are going to end up dead! Or maybe the gun will even be taken away from them and used against them! Campus safety officers should definitely be armed! Why isn't that the poll?? Faculty would be next, NOT students!! Experience and training is so important when it comes to firearm safety - let's leave this to trained officers who have training and knowledge in how to respond to active shooter situations, respond to emergencies under pressure, and effectively diffuse dangerous situations. I completely understand students and their parents feel a need for personal protection this day in age, however, there are other options - arm the correct people first.
If anyone is allowed to carry on campus it should be college staff and faculty. Yes, CCW required, training course strongly recommended. In the meantime, "bad guys" (and who don't even care about CCW) may already be bringing weapons onto campus and the good guys are not even allowed to have a weapon to put up resistance! That's messed up! At the least, campus safety officers should be allowed to carry a gun on campus.
I think one should take note of the State of Colorado and the State of Oregon. The State Supreme Court in Colorado and the Oregon State Court of Appeals both ruled in 2012 that the universities of the respective states could NOT ban handguns from being brought on campus by those with a valid concealed weapons permit. It's been over a year and a half sense both of those rulings and we haven't read in the news where the universities in those states now are "awash" in gun violence. In summary, unless one wishes to argue that the college students in Georgia are significantly more prone to violence than those of Colorado and Oregon, one cannot argue that allowing guns on campus by those who are trained and have a concealed weapons permit is going to create a "wild west" situation....
Yes, I believe we should be allowed to carry as long as we are legal CCW holders (which I am). Unfortunately, the ONE place I don't carry is at school (it's "not allowed") but it is the place where I feel the most need for it. Many times I have/had classes lasting until at least 10pm, my school is out in the middle of nowhere, and I am a small woman. Our "security" is only interesting in fining improperly parked vehicles ($10 a pop) and students (ADULTS, mind you) smoking, so that the school can profit. I've never seen a single one of them actually patrolling for the SAFETY of students, so why shouldn't we be allowed to have our own safety measures?
As a woman I would feel safer being able to have a small pocket knife in my car but wouldn't be comfortable knowing other students had firearms in the classroom
Heck no, that is the most ridiculous thing. People are crazy, you make someone mad, next thing you know, that college is on the news for a student getting shot in class. Just my opinion.
You have to be 21 in order to be able to carry a concealed weapon and have a valid concealed carry permit. As a retired U.S. Marine and former Deputy Sheriff, anybody who has the credentials to carry needs to go thru a safety training course which they can receive at most of the local department's. Here is the problem if you have not been thru any training then more than likely in the heat of the moment you will not be able to squeeze the round off. The college needs to arm the security officer's before they allow the average student with no training to walk around with a weapon. Semper Fi!
I believe students should not be allowed but teachers should. I would trust a professor with some sort of weapon for self-defense than a stranger on the other side of the classroom, but that's just my personal opinion.
Do note that any 'campus carry' rule or law is contingent on already-existing laws. This means that for Georgia, the person must obtain a license from the state, which involves 1) being 21 years of age, 2) passing a criminal background check through both federal and state databases, and 3) passing a mental-health background check.