 |
Sometimes a gentle nudge is all it takes to effect social change. Sometimes it requires a District Court of Appeals ruling. Either way, one change can touch off a domino effect, rippling throughout a whole state and eventually an entire nation.
Following the appeals court ruling in Colorado which favored Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC), and pressure from the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, Colorado State University rescinded its intended ban of lawful concealed carry.
“They didn’t have a legal leg to stand on,” said Dudley Brown, Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners. “We told them in January, in no uncertain terms, that state law did not allow them to create their own gun ban. Unfortunately, it took a lawsuit to force them to back down.”
“We’ve already seen that concealed carry works on campus,” said David Burnett, spokesman for SCCC. “It doesn’t harm anyone, and if criminals don’t know who could fight back, it makes them think twice about attacking anyone on campus. It’s unfortunate that the change required a legal threat, but we know it’s the right move and we’re glad CSU backed down from their imprudent decision.”
The Coloradoan notes that the college saw the writing on the wall; faced with a costly legal challenge with a dim hope of victory, rescinding the ban was seen as the best option.
But WAIT, there’s MORE!
The Colorado Community College System has now followed suit and modified their policies to permit concealed carry on campus!
The system consists of 13 community colleges, including: Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, Lamar Community College, Morgan Community College, Northeastern Junior College, Otero Junior College, Pikes Peak Community College, Pueblo Community College, Red Rocks Community College and Trinidad State Junior College.
Another local paper reports the Board of Trustees at Aims Community College, which includes three campuses, will institute a change to allow concealed carry.
This means that the number of colleges allowing licensed concealed carry in the United States has more than doubled in the past week!
Naturally, critics and skeptics align against the move, but statistics have already shown concealed carry does not increase risks to campus patrons, and may actually reduce them. Students, law enforcement and parents all support continuing and expanding the successful policy of allowing legally authorized students, faculty and staff to defend themselves on campus.
SCCC wishes to thank Jim Manley for his hard work, the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners for their cooperation and efforts, and all the students, parents, faculty and staff for their labor and support.
For media inquiries, please contact David Burnett or in Colorado, contact Jim Manley.
