By Michael Strickland
“I feel, and I speak for those in our institution, that there isn’t enough evidence to show that having private individuals with guns has stopped an incident on campus from happening. And our concern is just the more guns on campus, the greater risk of something happening.” -
Paul Bennion, College of Idaho Vice President of academic affairs.
Idaho Senator Curt Mackenzie has produced a solution in search of a problem.
BOISE — Though eight Idaho public college and university presidents voiced opposition to the legislation, a bill that would allow concealed-carry weapons on public school campuses passed the Senate State Affairs Committee on Thursday, the Idaho Press Tribune reports.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Curt McKenzie of Nampa, has been a point of contention between legislators and educational leaders. The Idaho State Board of Education unanimously voted against the motion on Feb. 3, and several administrators testified at the public hearing on the bill, the newspaper said.
The bill would allow those with enhanced concealed weapons permits and retired law enforcement personnel to carry the weapons.
Bruce Newcomb, Boise State's lobbyist at the Capitol and former Republican House speaker, questioned whether the enhanced-carry permit— it requires an eight-hour class and 98 rounds fired during live training — was enough to prepare someone to act in a high-stress situation.
"When there is a gun in the hand of a person who only gets training one day in five years, well, I think that's irresponsible," Newcomb said.
Newcomb said he even fears firearms might play a new, dangerous role in disputes over heated classroom discussions or even grades. Educators, he said, are worried.
"I had one professor say to me, 'If this bill passes, all my students are going to get A's,' " Newcomb said.
Among other points, College of Western Idaho President Bert Glandon contended the bill is not clear in its definition of a “campus,” does not consider the range of younger age groups that visit a college campus and does not address how the regulation would be enforced.
“CWI does not have lockdown capabilities, armed security and any other resources that would be necessary to enforce the regulations,” Glandon said.
The law would not apply to two nearby private colleges, College of Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University. However, their administrations expressed concern that the law, if passed, could cause confusion with students and members of the community. It might obscure their rights on those private college campuses. Neither school allows guns on campus.
And with Idaho's incredibly cash-strapped state of education, the next point rings a loud bell:
He added that they have spoken with law enforcement, who believe it can create confusion during a dangerous situation. Glandon also added the bill has cost implications that are not addressed yet.
“CWI has already identified the potential for signage, armed security and other resources necessary,” he said. “... Our college campuses do not fit within the traditional campus structure by way of locations, diversity of students and capabilities of enforcement. We do not believe that this bill will keep our campuses safe and secure.”
If they want to increase campus safety, why doesn't the Idaho Legislature invest
that same money into rape-awareness and prevention, anti-voilence education, increased services for the mentally ill, and more support for faculty, students and staff (including security personell) at all levels?