Being a college professor since 1988, I am highly aware of the vulnerability of college students — particularly females — to criminal attacks. For a number of years, I taught women’s self-defense classes. But it wasn’t until 2004 that the ultimate self-defense tool became available to Ohio citizens: lawful carry of concealed handguns. However, this right hasn’t been extended to those who need to concealed carry on campus.*
It took Ohio a while to get around to it. The states surrounding Ohio — Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky — had shall-issue concealed carry permits in place well before Ohio. They long proved that violent crimes would not increase. In fact, concealed carry laws in these states proved crimes decrease once law-abiding citizens are “permitted” to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Despite facts to the contrary all across the U.S., officials in Ohio claimed “blood would be running in the streets” of Columbus and other cities. They worried the wave of concealed carry permit holders would gun down everyone in the streets.
Ohio’s First Attempt at Concealed Carry Laws
The Ohio concealed carry law was really flawed initially. Rather than using long-proven effective laws from Arizona or Florida, Ohio decided to reinvent the wheel. One off-the-wall provision actually required lawfully concealed firearms to be kept in plain sight while in a motor vehicle. Yes, that is quoting from the law. Officials gathered to make suggestions on how one was to comply with the law. One even suggested permit holders wear holsters around their necks for approaching law enforcement officers to see their guns.
Most of the problem areas in Ohio’s CCW law have been addressed and remedied. The glaring exception is the ability to carry a lawfully permitted handgun on college campuses.
Through my years teaching, students and other faculty have asked me about carrying concealed handguns on campus. The areas surrounding Ohio State University (OSU) and the college I currently teach for are in the high-crime urban center of Columbus. The fear of assault on campus in unattended parking lots — and on the periphery of the college — is totally justified. In fact, when I am asked about carrying on campus in spite of the law, I tell students they have to make that choice themselves. And, if they choose to carry on campus, students should do so carefully and discreetly while being fully cognizant of the possible legal consequences.
But a recent incident and one back in November of 2016 emphasize the need for state governments to allow carry on campuses.
Preventing Campus Crimes With Concealed Carry
In November, a man drove his car into a group of students and faculty outside of Watts Hall on the Ohio State University campus after a fire alarm had been pulled. Upon colliding with students, he jumped out of his car and began slashing at people with a large knife. He was shot and killed by an OSU police officer. Before the officer responded, however, seven people were injured — one critically. Everyone at the scene was defenseless except for the terrorist and the police officer, who clearly saved lives.
And just this week (February 2017), a man kidnapped, raped and murdered 21-year-old OSU student Reagan Tokes after she left her waitressing job at a bar south of OSU. Her young life was cut short by a man who had been convicted in May 2011, rape and robbery. The judge in the case sentenced the criminal to a whopping six years. The perp was released from prison on November 13, 2016, for his heinous previous crime, obviously not rehabilitated.
Even though this crime did not occur on the OSU campus, it is quite possible the “no guns” signs, combined with the anti-gun harangues of liberal professors, prevents students from considering firearm ownership. I want students, faculty and staff of colleges to at least have the choice to carry a firearm on campus.
Please support measures to allow campus carry in your state. And make sure your loved ones who attend or work at colleges are prepared for worst-case scenarios. The time for lawfully concealed handguns on college campuses is here.
*Updated October 2021: Ohio law as of December 2017, leaves the rules surrounding carrying concealed on campus up to the individual schools.
Related:
How to Get a Concealed Weapons License in Ohio
Virginia Handgun Age Restriction: Reversing The Nanny State of 1968
