Caleb Thornton
Advertising & Distribution Editor
On July 1, 2017, those at least 21 years of age meeting the requirements to lawfully conceal carry a handgun by Kansas state law will have the right to conceal carry on campuses and in campus buildings during class.
According to Chief Tim Bryan, in order to legally possess a firearm, one must pass a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) provided by the FBI. NICS gives the needed information to determine whether or not someone is legally allowed to buy a firearm.
This legislation, though allowing those 21 years and older with the legal eligibility to carry a firearm, will prohibit non-police Butler employees from carrying firearms. Chief Bryan believes student employees who receive compensation or benefits for work fall under this category.
“What I know is sometime starting next year, Butler students will be allowed to carry onto campus, into classrooms, and from what I understand, my office,” Professor of English Michael Cissell said. “I don’t consider it absolutely necessary for people to carry firearms at all times. I think what’s driving this is fear and politicians, as they do so well, are manipulating this fear.
This law applies to all colleges (universities, community colleges and technical institutes) in the state. However, the Butler of Andover 6000 building does not apply to this law, as the building is attached to the high school, which falls under the Safe Schools Act.
“Is it fundamentally fair that a teacher is prohibited from having a gun when they’re in front of a class with concealed guns?” Chief Bryan inquired.
According to Kansas Interfaith Action Rabbi Moti Rieber, 70 percent of instructors are against this legislation. Attempted suicides are highest among college students, according to Rabbi Rieber.
Chief Bryan instructs the ALICE training available on campus and believes those on campus should expose themselves to this kind of protection and exposure to prevent fear and know what is expected of them.
According to Chief Bryan, Texas has implemented an unrestricted gun allowance the past year and has only had one incident. According to Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the incident occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 18 in a dorm hall at Tartleton State University. The gun owner self-reported and is awaiting punishment. No one was injured, and no harm was intended.
In other words, one of the main issues surrounding this legislation is fear in the event of an incident and inexposure to guns and other firearms.
“In the safety of everyone, particularly faculty, who are not allowed to protect [themselves,] then I think Butler should take measures to protect us,” Cissell said.
Although this law allows multitudes of eligible gun owners to enter campus buildings with their concealed firearm, it does not allow certain people to take advantage of the legislation.
“Anyone otherwise prohibited from having a firearm, including habitual users of drugs or narcotics or judges with mental defects [cannot conceal carry onto campus],” Chief Bryan said.