Photo by Tori Lemon
Darrah Walker
Lantern Staff
As of Saturday, July 1, 2017, the state of Kansas has made it legal for students age 21 and older to conceal carry on public campuses.
Originally the law was created in 2013, but public educational institutions were allowed four years to prepare for the new changes. Even though the law states that one can conceal carry on campus at the age of 21, there are regulations in place making international students, and those without visas, not allowed to carry. Also carrying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited under the law.
Each year approximately 20 mass shooting occur, and in most situations take place over a span of 10 to15 minutes, according to Sgt. Jake Kenney. With a higher chance of a situation to occur, the best thing to do is expect something to happen.
“Expect the unexpected, then the unexpected is expected,” Sgt. Kenney said.
Safety for the staff and students has always been a concern, but along with the new law, Butler has taken steps to increase the safety over the past five years.
Since 2015, Butler has adopted a training institute called ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate). In addition to ALICE training, Butler moved the Security Department to a Public Safety Department with certified law enforcement officers.
With the new steps and ALICE training in place, Butler’s Vice President of Academics Lori Winningham feels safer.
ALICE training is not mandatory, but is offered to anyone who wants to have an action plan. Winningham is not opposed to having ALICE training become mandatory.
“The more knowledgeable people are about these situations and work as a team, the greater safety and security we will experience,” Winningham said. “Making informed decisions is better than going into something with little or no knowledge.”
As a Resident Advisor, Addy Schurle was required to complete ALICE training. She feels a bit of anxiety and concern with the new law.
“Where there are guns, there is a possibility for violence,” Schurle said.
With the implementation of ALICE, she is grateful for the opportunity, but feels like she has more of a responsibility to keep everyone safe in dangerous situations.
“I can’t just stay back and stand on the sidelines,” Schurle said.
According to the college’s policy, guns should not be visible at any time on campus; they need to be 100 percent concealed. Not keeping a gun concealed is a violation to Butler’s policy.
Butler police are currently looking for more instructors to be willing to train people about ALICE. If anyone is interested, contact the Department of Public Safety at (316) 321-7657.
“It may not save all lives, but it could reduce the number of deaths and wounded or even deter an event from occurring,” Winningham said.