Although Tennessee and at least six other states have introduced legislation to loosen firearms restrictions, one currently can’t carry firearms, openly or concealed, in any public or private school building or campus here in Tennessee.

Utah is the only state with a law that clearly allows the carrying of concealed weapons at public colleges.

Tennessee should follow Utah’s lead and allow the carrying of concealed weapons at their public colleges.

Utah didn’t always allow the carrying of concealed weapons on campus. In fact, the University of Utah banned concealed weapons for decades.
In 2004, Utah lawmakers looked at a shooting rampage in 1997 in Mississippi where a teenager shot two students to death at Pearl High School. An assistant principal chased the gunman down outside and held him at bay with a .45-caliber pistol he kept in his truck.

Now the shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois have other states and colleges reviewing their gun policies.

It can only be said in hindsight that if guns were allowed at public colleges the death toll in Blacksburg, Va. might have been lower on April 16, 2007, but allowing guns at public colleges gives an otherwise defenseless population a chance against disturbed individuals like Seung-Hui Cho.

Christine Zabawa, a medical researcher at the University of Utah, told FOXNews.com she’s happy about the state’s gun law.

“What happened at Virginia Tech might have been stopped,” Zabawa said.

Another reason why Tennessee should allow the carrying of concealed weapons at public colleges was addressed by a UT student.

Darren Gilbert, in a letter he wrote to the Daily Beacon (Feb. 5), argued that if students, faculty and staff have the right to carry guns everywhere else, why not allow those with a handgun carrying permit to carry guns at institutions of higher learning?

Students, faculty and staff aren’t allowed to carry guns everywhere else. There are other restrictions. They aren’t allowed to carry guns, even with the Handgun Carry permit, where alcoholic beverages are served and consumed.

But that restriction makes sense. Alcohol impairs judgment, which is why Zabawa also told FOXNews.com she has some reservations about allowing guns in college dormitories.

But simply being at a public college doesn’t impair one’s judgment and is no different than being at a bank or another place of employment.

Most students, faculty and staff against guns on campus have the same hesitation – that a seemingly, innocent classmate may be a Cho, and allowing him or her to bring a gun on campus makes them more vulnerable.

Michael Campbell stated this concern in a letter he wrote to the Daily Beacon (Feb. 6). “But this would put the guns in the hands of those crazy criminals since they can often be students themselves. How are we going to be able to make sure that only the right people get the ability to buy guns?”

This fear may come from a misunderstanding as to how one acquires a gun in Tennessee. Yes, it’s fairly easy to purchase a gun, but those individuals who carry concealed weapons need a Handgun Carry permit, and it’s only those with the permit that should be able to carry guns on public campuses.

And earning a Handgun Carry permit in Tennessee is no easy task.

The state’s web site explains the process of applying for a Handgun Carry permit. Before applying for a permit, the applicant is required to take a Handgun Carry Permit course from a handgun safety school certified by the Department of Safety.

The course covers handgun carry and deadly force laws in Tennessee and prepares students for the written qualification test.

The applicant must also pass a shooting qualification. He or she must shoot 48 rounds at 3, 7 and 15 yards. The applicant must also pay to take the course. After passing the Handgun Carry Permit course and receiving certification, the applicant must then apply for the Handgun Carry permit.

The applicant can fill out the application at any full-service driver’s license center. He or she must bring the original copy of their safety course completion certificate, proof of United States Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency and photo identification. The applicant must also pay a $115, non-refundable permit fee.

To be eligible for the permit, the applicant must be 21 years old and must pass an extensive background check.

Because the process to obtain a Handgun Carry permit in Tennessee is a rigorous one, individuals, who earned their permits, should be allowed to carry concealed guns on public college campuses.

Tennessee has already introduced legislation to loosen firearms restrictions in the state. Students, faculty and staff should write their state representatives to tell them they don’t want to be defenseless anymore.