Editor:

I would like to comment on The Chronicle’s Oct. 29 article, “Arizona Shooting Only Reinforces U’s No-Gun Stance.” Unfortunately, these types of horrific events are becoming all too common. But if anything, this recent event exemplifies the need for law-abiding citizens who possess valid concealed weapons permits to be allowed to bring their guns to school.

The University of Arizona has a policy similar to the U’s prohibiting firearms on campus, but it did not stop this depraved and deranged individual from committing this heinous act. What it did do was prevent law-abiding gun-carrying students and faculty from defending themselves and possibly putting an early end to this tragedy. I do not buy the argument that prohibiting concealed weapons on campus makes it more difficult for these types of violent acts to occur. Anyone bent on hurting his fellow students and teachers is not going to let a school policy keep him from bringing a firearm to school. The only people who will heed these policies are those who are neither determined nor inclined to disobey the law.

I am often asked the question, “Why does anyone need to bring a gun to school?” My short and simple answer is to prevent events such as this from happening. Carrying concealed firearms is somewhat analogous to having a fire insurance policy on your home. The probability is high that you will never need to redeem that policy, but on the off-chance that your house is set ablaze, you’ll be very glad you have it. It is just common sense. If criminals are going to carry guns in defiance of the law and school policy, then the only ones affected are law-abiding students who are denied their most effective means of self defense.

Arnold Astorga

Graduate Student, Law