By Chris Bosey–

Editor’s note: U of L does not allow weapons on its campuses. 

The debate about whether or not violence around campus is increasing is no longer in question. Just ask the four new campus police officers or the four new security guards that have been hired by the university in order to lower the number of crimes on or around campus.

You can also ask the students who have been jumped the past few weeks. The question being posed by some students is should the age limit for concealed carry licenses be lowered from 21 to 18?

The idea of an 18-year-old college student carrying around a pistol at night seems preposterous, right? If it means the safety of that student, then some people around campus say it is not only a great idea, but it should be seriously considered by the state immediately.

An anonymous sophomore believes strongly that it will lower crime rates.

“Yes, I think it will lower crime rates, especially crimes against women on campus,” she said. “As 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old women on campus, we don’t have much of an opportunity to defend ourselves. Lowering the conceal and carry age would give young students on campus a way to protect themselves against the crime that comes in from the city.”

She makes a valid point. When criminals see students with pistols at their sides, they will think twice before jumping them.

However, there are always two sides to any debate. With lowering the age comes the possibility for kids to make mistakes. Sophomore Taylor Smith  strongly believes that guns for younger students means more problems.

“Increasing the number of people who can carry a concealed weapon does not always act as a deterrent against violence but often leads to more, especially in the hands of young people,
said Smith. “Statistically, most massacres were done with legal guns that people can purchase.”

There are clearly two sides to the debate. The concluding point is that students are fed up with feeling unsafe when walking home from campus at night.

Whether the solution is to lower the age that students can apply for a conceal and carry license, or something else, the violence around campus must be stopped. If we continue to talk about it and demand a change, it will at least force policy makers on campus to consider possible changes to increase student safety.

Photo by Jacob Abrahamson / The Louisville Cardinal