Living Outside The Lines: “Campus Carry”

The choice to fear or live “Fearless” as the tattoo on my ribs dictates is completely mine.  I’ve got less than a month to decide. 

 by, Becky j Miller

According to https://campuscarry.utexas.edu, Governor Greg Abbott signed S.B. 11 on June 1, 2015. 

The law allows licensed handgun holders to carry a concealed weapon on public university campuses throughout Texas. State universities had until August 1, 2016 to formulate their specific regulatory discretions surrounding campus carry.

While the legislation was under debate, I remember contemplating my stance on the matter. Never arriving at a solid conclusion, I did wonder whether students’ carrying concealed weapons on campus was a good idea, but since neither my children nor I attend state schools, I was not overly concerned with the matter. Until I was….

Texas junior colleges were given an additional year to comply with S.B. 11. Who knew I’d find myself working at one?? When I first arrived on campus, my husband noticed the signs prohibiting weapons. 

As a licensed concealed handgun carrier aware of the campus carry laws, he wondered at the legality of the prohibition at a state funded institution.   

Claiming full ignorance, I remained unconcerned. However, an email from the newly hired campus security amplified my attention.  Effective August 1, 2017, students, faculty and employees may carry concealed weapons on campus. 

As a Business Office employee, I find myself a bit concerned. 

While my individual office sits behind a locked door, the windows in which myself and other employees serve customers have no partitions. We deal with angry students on a regular basis, some of whom become verbally abusive. 

The thought that any of them might be carrying a weapon does not bring me a sense of peace. After all, no one likes to hear they owe money, and that the debt prohibits them from registering for additional classes, or obtaining transcripts. 

The good news? The president of the college where I am employed has chosen to allow employees to carry concealed weapons as well, meaning should the occasion arise, we have the opportunity to defend ourselves.

Herein lies the problem, although I do own a weapon, purchased for me by my husband, I’ve yet to obtain my CHL as I have no desire to carry.

Not only do I have a healthy respect for guns, after all, bullets can do mortal damage.

I do not know whether I could actually fire on another human. Even if I did choose to carry, my wardrobe does not allow much room to conceal.  Wearing a dress, which I like to do, dictates the need for a thigh strap.

While that may seem sexy from a Hollywood perspective, in practical application, I see the potential for discomfort. 

Texas became the eighth state to sign legislation allowing concealed carry on campus.  http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2016/09/09/campus-carry-in-other-states-led-to-minor-accidents. 

And while there have been cases of negligent discharge (owners not properly carrying/securing), and some inadvertently printing (being visible) the weapon, there have been no major events surrounding campus carry. I guess that information should bring some level of security.  

In reality, I understand that legal campus carry or not, anyone has the potential to both carry and discharge a firearm on any given day. Understanding that students now have the right to carry on campus however, has the ability to color my interactions with them.

The choice to fear or live “Fearless” as the tattoo on my ribs dictates is completely mine.  I’ve got less than a month to decide. 

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.