Rebecca Beno

Allowing the opportunity for young people to have guns on campus is a dangerous recipe for increased deadly harm. We are talking about young people who do not yet have a fully formed pre-frontal cortex. This means that their skills of logical thinking and emotional regulation are not fully formed. An argument with a girlfriend, an argument in class, or simple teenage/young adult foolish risk-taking could have devastating results. Also, substances are a significant problem on campuses. The mix of firearms and drugs, and alcohol is deadly. Finally, as we know, teens and young adults struggle mightily with mental health. Having more firearms available would mean that it would be that much easier for a student to commit suicide with their own gun or with that of a peer or roommate. As a parent of a of a college age student and a high school senior, I would have serious second thoughts about having them live on campus or even attend classes if I knew that other students were armed. This is a dangerous idea that should not be allowed to move forward.