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File Photo by Jill Nance/The News & Advance
Two Liberty University students sit on the steps of DeMoss Hall last month. LU officials say they will consider whether concealed weapons permit holders will be allowed to carry guns on campus.
Liberty University will consider whether to allow concealed weapon permit holders to carry guns on campus at its next board of trustees meeting, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. said Thursday.
If it adopted the policy change, Liberty would become one nearly a dozen colleges nationally to allow concealed weapons on campus, according to Students for Concealed Carry on Campus.
Falwell said he decided to bring the matter before the board for discussion after members of Liberty’s chapter of SCCC requested it.
“We just have a group on campus that’s been promoting that idea, and I really don’t have a good feel for whether our community would support it or not,” Falwell said. “So I just decided to take it to the board.”
Currently the university does not allow those with concealed weapons permits to carry a gun on campus, he said.
The board of trustees has 38 members, including Falwell and his brother Jonathan. The next meeting is in early March.
The body may not make a decision on the issue, Falwell said, but will at least consider it.
“I want to make sure that we look at it long and hard before we make a decision,” he said.
“Between now and the board meeting, we’ll have RAs (resident advisers) talking to students and see what they think about it.”
Falwell also has not formed an opinion on the issue, he said.
Liberty senior Ben Neiman, leader of Liberty’s chapter of SCCC, said the group has more than 300 members, mostly students, staff and faculty.
Nationally, the organization has more than 30,000 members at hundreds of schools.
“These are people who already have their concealed carry permits, and you mingle with them in movie theaters and shopping malls around town anyways,” Neiman said. “We’re just all about our own safety. We realize that campuses are generally safe, but in the off chance that we are threatened, we want to be able to defend ourselves.”
Utah is the only state that does not allow any of its nine public universities to restrict people from carrying concealed weapons on campus.
According to the SCCC, Colorado State University and Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Va., are the only other schools that allow concealed carry on campus.
In Virginia, where one must be at least 21 years old to apply for a concealed handgun permit, each college can decide whether to allow guns on campus.
Leading up to the meeting in March, Falwell said board members have much to consider, such as how difficult the process is to get a permit to carry.
He also hopes to ask students and faculty for their opinions, and learn more about the arguments from both sides of the issue.
“I understand all the concern about security, and that’s why I’m even going to mention it to the board,” Falwell said.
“If the board thinks that would enhance security, then it might be something they would be in favor of.”
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Reader Reactions
If those gun supportin’ right wingers who post here are any example of those who are given gun permits, we are in real trouble.
Someone suggesting that we ask one of the dead VT students a question. Someone else saying that LU is “known worldwide” for something when, actually, the only ones who care about LU are those who go there. Someone suggesting that by denying a student the right to go “packin’” on campus violates his/her bill of rights when those who are 21 are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages on that campus (they are 21 and old enough to drink off campus, and it OK to have an “alcoholic free” campus but not a “gun free” campus - even Jesus drank wine - or was it “grape juice” as the fundies like to point out since it didn’t have time to ferment when he changed the water to wine?).
As with the past 8 years under Bush, there is absolutely no logic in anything posted here to support carrying guns on college campuses. The only thing motivating this alarmist attitude is fear - something that the Falwell and the present administration in Washington thrive on.
As William Shatner says in his Priceline commercials, you are all a bunch of “cupcakes, namby pambies, wusses.“ The next thing you will be doing is wearing a helmet on your head because the Falwells and Bush tell you there are asteroids falling from the sky or hopping around on one leg because they tell you that there are creatures that might eat your legs, so hold one up off the ground so you will still have one good leg to stand on. You betcha, you are a bunch of “cupcakes, namby-pambies, wusses.“ Peace.
One should not feel obligated to forfeit their guaranteed rights in order to per sue a higher education at a University. No one requires a special permit to speak in public, nor are their signs posted around towns stating “speak-free prohibited zone”, so why limit the importance of the right to bear arms?
As far as the Bill of Rights go… ask anyone who is under the age of say… 90 years old, what the 19th amendment is. I would dare to say that a majority of people would not have a clue.
Now ask them how they would feel if by attending a University they (women) could no longer be guaranteed the 19th amendment.
Oh and to not seem completely biased:
Bill-o’Rights:
“Secondly in order to obtain a Conceal Carry Permit… One must have qualified through a weapons safty class, sumbitt to the FBI a fingerprint card taken by LEO, photograph, and wait for a period of several weeks before it the CCW is approved.“
You don’t need to submit your fingerprints, thats an option. 
I love how easily people get off topic when it comes to Liberty.
First off in regards to:
“However, on a deeper level, why do these people feel the need to carry a weapon with them to the LU campus? Handguns are not meant to kill game for food, they are designed to kill people. Is there so much fear of other people on this campus?“
Go back a few years (before VT shootings) and ask the student body if they were afraid of each other? The reason we would like Concealed carry on campus is to protect ourselves and innocent people from a future event like VT.
For those who would like to say “trust Jesus, you don’t need guns” or “WWJD” or any other “Your a Christian why do you need guns statement”:
Yes, it is true Christians should trust Jesus, but does that mean you should be ignorant and careless? That is like saying, “I trust Jesus so why should I lock my doors and close my curtains at night?“.
For the people who want to bring politics into this (Obama or McCain):
Simply Put: That is not the issue at hand.
For those who say:“Just one simple factual statement: Students are not mature enough to carry a weapon! What a screball concept to even consider letting handguns on campus.“
This one is too easy to answer. The LAW states that they are mature enough to carry a weapon, not you. Thus your opinion that they are not mature enough to carry is meaningless. Thanks.
Seriously people please respond to this:
If you have such a big deal with letting students, who have a conceal permit FROM the STATE. Then why on earth do you go outside? I live in the lynchburg area, I have a concealed permit and I carry EVERYWHERE I am LEGALLY allowed to. Do I see people at walmart screaming and shouting when I walk in? No, I have in fact had people who have said they feel safer when I am with them at night. If you have an issue with TRBC or Liberty or Christians and are holding a grudge that’s fine, its your right. But do not let it impact what the Law states.
The Law says I can carry, so I carry. Everywhere. Its simple.
Liberty University has a new law school and an award winning debate team. They are known worldwide for their integration of scripture in all aspects of education. They are well known to television viewers for the “Not I, But Christ” motto. About a decade ago it was common to see Liberty students around Lynchburg wearing WWJD bracelets, advertising to all who saw them that they were challenged constantly to immulate the Savior of the world as it stands for What Would Jesus Do? Clearly, I am not a Thomas Road Baptist Church or Liberty University insider, but I can see where this church has contributed some very good things to the area. The hotel, restaurant and apartment business has reaped benefits. The local hospitals have enjoyed a good recruitment pool from the LU Nursing department. Local churches need not worry about temporary pulpit supply. Agencies depending on volunteers have been delighted at the LU volunteer service hours encouraged, if not required of the students. The church (and school) have started and maintain several missions serving people in need in our communities inthe greater Lynchburg area.
It is a part of the civil liberties in our area to be able to bear arms. If the law allows people with concealed gun permits to have concealed weapons at the edge of the University campus, those entering the Campus property would have to leave their weapons out or leave them off the campus. With a change in the University policy, their would simply be no difference in that particular aspect of life off campus and life on campus. As mentioned inthe article, only adult students can legally buy and get a concieled weapon permit. It would not be the typical, 17 to 20 year old college student. More likely, it would be the veteran who has served 2 -3 tours in Iraq or Afganistan an is getting back to finish up his or her undergraduate or graduate degree. It seems right to allow these civil liberties.
However, on a deeper level, why do these people feel the need to carry a weapon with them to the LU campus? Handguns are not meant to kill game for food, they are designed to kill people. Is there so much fear of other people on this campus? What Would Jesus Do?
It will be interesting to see how Jesus “speaks” to the Liberty University students and administrators in this matter. As a Christian myself, I am hopeful that the Lord will work in their hearts and lives to best proclaim the Gospel to the watching world even through these actions.
asforme,
sarcasm, bub. don’t be so black and white.
asforme,
sarcam, bub. don’t be so black and white.
Posted by ( FedUpWithTRBC ) on October 09, 2008 at 4:39 pm
“I don’t see why the community should mind. If they have a concealed weapons permit they can carry a gun around town, why not on campus too? I just hope they have a lot of cameras around the campus. When one of the little darlings goes crazy and shoots the first shot in the air it’s going to be “Gun Fight at the LU Corral”, can’t wait to see that on YouTube. Let’s hope they have enough since to do a full background check on the KIDS before they allow them to carry a gun around campus.“
If only the Va-Tech shootings had lasted as BRIEFLY as the OK Corral, then we would not have had lost so many great and bright minds that day in Blacksburg.
In order to even legally buy a handgun one must be above 21 years of age (hardly still a “kid” going to school), submitt to a State Police background check, and be of stable mind with no Felonies in his or her record.
Secondly in order to obtain a Conceal Carry Permit… One must have qualified through a weapons safty class, sumbitt to the FBI a fingerprint card taken by LEO, photograph, and wait for a period of several weeks before it the CCW is approved.
So, Why would the University need to conduct a background check? Afterall if a FBI and State Police background check does not pick something up in the record, what makes one think that a LUPD background check would?
“Gun free zones” might as well be “Bill of Rights Free zones”
Kevin,
I don’t see how that scripture is relevant to this discussion. It refers to when the Israelites were rebuilding the city/walls of Jerusalem. They had been under attack by the Philistines and others who did not want to see the city rebuilt 70 years after Babylon destroyed it. What does that have to do with concealed weapons at a university?
According to Obama, it’s we bitter people who cling to God and our guns. Liberty students are comforted by His rod and staff but should be free to carry their own.
“...every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.“ Nehemiah 4:17
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