[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      GUNS ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, in 2009, bills aimed at weakening the 
ability of universities to regulate the possession of firearms on 
campus were introduced in 12 State legislatures, including the Michigan 
State Legislature. In 2008, 17 States saw similar legislation 
introduced. Fortunately for the safety of students, faculty, and 
visitors, none of these bills passed. In fact, according to the Wall 
Street Journal, as of July 2009, State legislative efforts to allow 
firearms on college campuses had been defeated 34 straight times 
nationwide. However, while this statistic demonstrates a clear national 
consensus that guns do not belong at universities, the National Rifle 
Association, NRA, continues to push for weaker gun regulations.
  Already in 2010, efforts have been undertaken that would weaken the 
ability of colleges to determine their own security needs in Arizona, 
Georgia, Virginia, and Colorado. These legislative efforts are part of 
a strategy to pressure State legislatures into passing legislation that 
would force colleges to allow the possession and use of firearms by 
students, faculty, and others on campus. According to a report from the 
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, entitled ``No Gun Left Behind: 
The Gun Lobby's Campaign to Push Guns into Colleges and Schools,'' this 
strategy can be seen as a response to the horrific shootings at 
Virginia Tech in 2007. According to this strategy, the way to prevent 
future violence on college campuses is to have more guns on campuses.
  Increasing the number of guns in university settings is likely to 
increase the threat of violence. Every day at colleges across the 
country, young people engage in risky behaviors involving alcohol and 
drugs. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
binge drinking and illegal drug use is highest among 18- to 24-year-
olds. Furthermore, a report by the National Center on Addiction and 
Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that ``nearly half of 
America's full-time college students abuse drugs or drink on binges at 
least once a month.'' This behavior is dangerous enough without 
introducing a weapon into the environment. Additional threats to public 
safety stemming from firearms on campuses include the high risk of gun 
thefts in typically unsecure college living environments, as well as an 
increase in the number of accidental shootings.
  Students and faculty should feel safe while on campus. Contrary to 
the claims of some, more guns on campus will not create a more secure 
campus. More guns will increase the threat of violence, and that is why 
legislation that would force universities to allow firearms on campus 
is misguided.

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