This is yet more proof that although the law abiding citizens are disarmed by so-called "gun free zones" such silly rules are ignored by criminals who are willing to murder. Why would such a vile person worry about violating a gun free zone when they're willing to take the life of innocent victims? It is long past time that we end this tragic social experiment called "gun free zones" that was implemented without merit less than 20 years ago - has there not already been enough bloodshed using the bodies of our children as the mice for this failed experiment?
More from AZCDL:
As most of you have probably heard by now, Arizona has become the scene of yet another campus shooting. On Thursday, July 24, a 22 year old opened fire on the campus of South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, in what police are describing as a continuation of an argument with another person in a classroom on the campus. Thankfully, none were killed, although three people were wounded. Though firearms are banned on campuses throughout the state in accordance with the policies of the Arizona Board of Regents, in yet another stunning example of the obvious, only the law-abiding are adhering to these rules.
During the last session of the legislature, AzCDL attempted to get SB 1214 to the Senate floor for a debate and vote. As you may recall, this was Sen. Karen Johnson's bill that would have allowed law-abiding citizens with CCW permits to carry concealed weapons on college and university campuses. Unfortunately, due to staunch opposition from anti-rights groups, certain law enforcement associations, and the administrative officers of several of the universities, all of the Democratic Senators, and several of the so-called "moderate" Republicans, lined up against the bill, so the Senate leadership refused to bring it to a vote.
Had this bill successfully passed the legislature, and somehow avoided the veto pen of our Governor, perhaps there might have been some deterrent effect in place for a young man whose only apparent desire was to continue an argument. Unfortunately, given the existing situation, he was able to escalate that argument to an extreme level, largely because he knew that no one would be around who was able to properly resist him. Even had he not been deterred by the likelihood of armed resistance, at least someone with proper training might have been able fight back and subdue him. As it was, he escaped long before police arrived on the scene, and was only apprehended later.
We believe that it's far past time to take our schools back. We wholeheartedly agree with the opponents of SB 1214 that our schools and universities should be safe havens, free from the scourge of violence and lawlessness. Where our views diverge is how to get there from here. Putting up a sign that says "Gun Free Zone" has had the perverse effect of increasing school shootings, which should surprise no one. After all, criminals don't obey laws. That's why we call them criminals. The sign may as well read "Disarmed Victim Zone". If the opponents of SB 1214 truly believe that removing guns from the hands of the law-abiding makes people safer, than we'll expect them to promote a bill that takes guns away from policemen. We won't be holding our breaths.
Given these realities, we ask you to please stand ready to support our "school carry" initiative during the next legislative session. We told them last year that we weren't going away, and we meant it!
These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today!
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I almost hate to say it... but this is why I disregard gun free zones and carry anyway, or avoid giving them my patronage altogether.
ReplyDeleteCan't anyone see how backwards AZ has gotten it? Banning firearms on campuses...? What they ought to do is to ban shooting people other than oneself on campuses. That will work...won't it?
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