Guns are no longer allowed on Portland State property or on any of the other seven college campuses in the Oregon University System. Last Friday, the State Board of Higher Education passed a policy by unanimous vote that immediately prohibits any person from carrying a firearm into a state university building or event.
Guns are no longer allowed on Portland State property or on any of the other seven college campuses in the Oregon University System. Last Friday, the State Board of Higher Education passed a policy by unanimous vote that immediately prohibits any person from carrying a firearm into a state university building or event.
The new policy states that anyone entering into a business relationship with a university—whether by paying tuition as a student, being hired as an employee or through buying tickets to an event—must agree not to carry guns on campus property. All campus employees, students, contractors and people attending university sporting and entertainment events are subject to the board’s ban on weapons.
Board members in favor of the policy argued that college campuses can create atmospheres that multiply the potential damage a gun could cause. In an interview with The Oregonian, PSU Campus Public Safety Office director Phillip Zerzan explained that when students are suicidal, under scholastic pressure or intoxicated, the presence of a gun increases the danger.
“I’ve witnessed the finality that firearms bring. There are no policies, therapies or do-overs that can repair the damage caused by a gunshot wound,” Zerzan said.
Despite the strict language of the ban, the new policy does not prevent individuals carrying a concealed weapon from traveling across a state university campus. It simply prohibits them from entering a building or sports arena. The board made exceptions for police as well as military training programs and hunting or target-shooting clubs.
According to OUS Chancellor Geroge Pernsteiner, punishment for violating the weapons ban depends on the perpetrator. A student will be subject to the university’s code of conduct, employees must answer to disciplinary action and contractors will be considered to be in breach of contract.
In September 2011, the board attempted to institute a ban of firearms on campuses, but the policy was struck down by the Oregon Court of Appeals after the Oregon Firearms Education Foundation filed suit challenging the weapons policy. The court’s decision claimed that only the Oregon Legislature possesses the authority to regulate guns. However, the court did say that the state board has the broad power to regulate its own property. This wording provided the board with a legal avenue to administer the gun-ban policy decided last Friday.
Biology and pre-med junior Lincoln Mosier considers himself to be a pro–gun-rights individual. He thinks a policy banning weapons from university buildings undermines a fundamental right afforded to citizens by the U.S. Constitution.
“In the city, there are more variables, people and chances for something to happen. Having some sort of protection for yourself or others is an important thing and could, in fact, save some lives,” Mosier said.
He commented that although he believed not everyone should be able to possess certain types of automatic weapons, every person has the right to “carry a pistol, taser or handgun.” He added that “it is ridiculous and unjust for the Oregon University System to impose such a policy.”
Theater arts junior Talon Bigelow had a different take on the new policy. Bigelow claimed to be quite neutral about the issue. He said he has never felt unsafe on campus, but he also didn’t see the weapons ban as a negative policy.
“I didn’t even realize guns were a problem on campus, but I don’t think [the ban] would hurt,” Bigelow said.
Wow, seriously? What part of your article is to be believed when your headline and opening sentence are factually incorrect which is pointed out later on in the same story:
“Guns banned on OUS campuses”
“Guns are no longer allowed on Portland State property…”
“..the new policy does not prevent individuals carrying a concealed weapon from traveling across a state university campus. It simply prohibits them from entering a building or a sports arena.”
How about “Guns banned from OUS buildings”? Why misstate the facts in the both the headline and the opening sentence? Why not just reword it so it is correct?
So far the only reason I’ve heard why they banned guns is because of suicidal people who might use their gun to kill themselves. Seriously? There are suicidal people outside of PSU and any suicidal person would find some way of killing themselves.
Also, with the recent rise in sexual assaults on campus, shouldn’t we be encouraging students to arm themselves? When we’re in trouble we need to ask CPSO or the police for help. Why not defend ourselves then and there?
This is like taking away kitchen knives because people cut themselves and even kill themselves with knives. Then any time we need to slice carrots we have to call a government office and have them come out to slice the carrots for us. Then if we are caught slicing carrots ourselves, we’re promptly fined a fee and banned from our home.
If the board voted unanimously in this decision, we really do not have a fair balance of opinion.
And lets not forget either that this ban is in violation of our second constitutional right, to keep and bear arms. Students of PSU and all American citizens should be outraged at this stupid decision. And, if the ban is really because of the reason you reported, well then it is even more stupid than I originally thought. Taking firearms away from people who have the RIGHT to protect themselves is not going to do anything to keep suicidal individuals from harming themselves. This news follows reports of at least 5 sexual assaults or attempted assaults since December! As a female student of PSU I am offended that they are taking away my right to protect myself!
OUS will learn very quickly that they do not, in fact, have the authority to regulate firearm possession on campus the first time a student with a concealed handgun permit is arrested, fined, or penalized for mere possession of a firearm. OUS does not have the power to create extra-legal regulations that contradict state law.