| We all remember the tragedy. Nearly two years ago, | | | | hearing today in front of the Public Safety |
| a lone gunman opened fire on his fellow students at | | | | Committee. Driver and other supporters of this |
| Virginia Tech and thirty-two people were left dead in | | | | legislation argue that this bill only supports the right of |
| the wake of the massacre. Last year, the students | | | | those who are already licensed to carry concealed |
| at Northern Illinois experienced a similar tragedy that | | | | weapons, which includes people who are at least |
| resulted in five deaths and eighteen people wounded. | | | | twenty-one years of age, pass a criminal background |
| The question that has plagued campus leaders across | | | | check, and complete a training course. Also, they |
| the country since then has been, "How do we | | | | believe that the presence of law-abiding students |
| prevent such violence at our own schools?" Many | | | | who are carrying guns will deter those who may be |
| colleges have instituted a system of sending text and | | | | inclined to do harm. |
| email messages seconds after a threat is recognized. | | | | The history of such legislation in other states does |
| Other campuses are encouraging professors to | | | | not bode well for Texas. Eighteen other states have |
| monitor the behavior of their students more closely. | | | | considered permitting guns on campus since 2008, |
| One idea being discussed in several states, including | | | | and every effort has failed. Those who hope that |
| Texas, is the lift on the ban of guns on college | | | | this trend continues include the University of Texas |
| campuses. | | | | Student Government, the Graduate Student |
| The Texas House version of this bill, which is | | | | Assembly and the Faculty Council. All of the groups |
| sponsored by Rep. Joe Driver (R), is set for a public | | | | have passed resolutions against the campus gun bill. |