Opinion

HB 1893 shouldn’t pass without student input

While most UH students have spent the last weeks of Spring 2009 in a frenzy to pass classes, a far more pressing issue with possible long-lasting effects has taken a backseat.

Time is running out for opponents of Texas House Bill 1893, which would allow Concealed Handgun License-holders to carry firearms onto campus. If the legislation passes, UH, as a public institution, would be prohibited from setting its own gun control policies.

As reported today in ‘NEWS HEADLINE,’ (News), the UH Student Government Association voted 14-11 Wednesday to approve a resolution to oppose HB 1893. The Daily Cougar’s James Hale reported that the UH Faculty Senate also approved a resolution to oppose the bill on April 15 with only a single ‘nay’ in ‘UH resolution to oppose gun laws,’ (April 16, News).

Supporters of this bill will claim that the campus will be safer if CHL-holding citizens can stand up to potential criminals. But we have no idea how accurate this projection is, especially considering all arguments for and against the bill are highly politicized.

What we do know is that Seung-Hui Cho, who was responsible for the Virginia Tech massacre of 32 people, acquired all of his weapons legally. We also know the alleged shooter of Joe Tall, UH student Jeremy Lee Pierce, threatened students with a gun and was mentally unstable for weeks before campus authorities were aware.

Perhaps, these are worst-case scenarios, but shouldn’t worst-case scenarios be considered before the state of Texas sets a precedent to which no university can object?

The Texas Congress returns to session today; however, it is not too late to contact your House representative and inform them of your opinion. A listing of the representatives’ contact information by county may be found at this Web address: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members.

Please do not hesitate or delay in contacting your state representative. As a citizen and a student, your input cannot be ignored. Representatives must account for their constituents, but first they must hear from them. Every letter or call makes an impact.

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