No to guns on campuses
How do you like the idea of no regulations for guns on campuses full of students, instructors, townspeople and visitors? Currently, NH educational institutions make their own rules. Most do not allow any of the pistols and high-power rifles readily available in NH. A very bad bill in the NH Senate, HB1793, would end universities’ choice. It would render every public community college and university in the state unable to regulate guns on their own campuses. Does anyone need a reminder of campus drinking, emotional stress, dorm and frat culture, high feelings at sporting events, the rise in suicides? Have we forgotten the fatal shootings at Brown, Kentucky State, Florida State, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, to name a few?
Guns on campus will drive up costs for insurance, training, additional security staff, building security, workers compensation and more. Students, parents, university faculty and administration, as well as law enforcement oppose this bill. It is shocking that it has already passed the House and now comes before the Senate! Hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, April 14. If you can’t get to the “Keep Guns Off Campus” rally in Concord at noon that day, you can register your opposition at https://gc.nh.gov/remotecommittee/senate.aspx
Here are the steps: 1) Open the link; 2) select April 14 on the calendar; 3) select the committee (Judiciary); 4) identify yourself as a member of the public, 5) indicate your position on the bill; 6) personal information. You can also write your opinion and send an email to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (search NH State Senate).
Research is showing that states with stronger firearms laws are seeing less gun violence. Here’s an important chance to push back to protect people on university campuses in NH.