I n d ep en d en t
Issue no.
S tu d e n t
V o ic e
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B o is e
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Sin ce
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October 2011
Volume 24
w w w.arbiteronline.com
Boise, Idaho
Top Stories Shackled in Philadelphia
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First issue free
Crossfire on
Philadelphia police find four people imprisoned in a basement.
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2
SlutWalk
campus
Most students support no-firearms Bryce Dunham-Zemberi Journalist
A movement called SlutWalk shows Boise it’s wrong to blame the victim. page
4
Homecomin’
It’s an issue of peace, love and ammunition. Current Idaho law prohibits guns in classrooms, dormitories, parking lots and public areas such as the Morrison Center and Bronco Stadium. Failed House Bill 222 (HB222) would have prevented universities around Idaho from banning students’ ability to safely carry a concealed weapon on campus and at campus-sponsored events. In March, students celebrated HB222’s failure in the Idaho State Senate. Out of 10 students randomly interviewed Oct. 6 and Oct. 11, nine said they opposed concealed guns on campus, even if they were unaware someone is carrying. Shelly Bohorquez, a freshman communication major, believes guns are a larger threat than benefit. “I do not approve,” she said. “I don’t think guns should be allowed on campus. I think they are a hazard to students going here.” Opponents of guns on campus
feel threatened by individuals carrying weapons around school. People such as Bohorquez are concerned about Broncos bearing bazookas. Pro-gun enthusiasts have made plans to build off the Oregon Firearm Educational Foundation v. Board of Higher Education and Oregon University System decision. “There is no authority for the State board of Higher Education to adopt a rule relating to possession of firearms by ‘any person,’ ” the Oregon Court of Appeals briefs explained. Boise State is different than duck country, leaving pro-gun activists little room to quack. Concealed weapons are a social misunderstanding, according to Tim Burke, a junior in environmental and occupational health. “A lot of this is emotional,” Burke said. “I used to live in Montana and you could literally walk into a bank with a hand gun on your side, but here it would be a little different.” Some students, such as freshman
biomedical engineer Ryan Fling, feel campus is safe enough to ban guns. “I don’t think concealed weapons licensees should be able to go onto campus carrying a gun,” Fling said. Fling served in the 3rd Squadron of the 4th U.S. Army Cavalry Scouts, touring in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unlike many other students, Fling has seen both sides of the barrel, ultimately destroying and saving lives. To him, guns are such a powerful force he doesn’t feel comfortable with them on campus. “I would be able to legally carry a weapon with me, but I feel there is no reason for me to carry a weapon on campus whatsoever,” Fling said. Burke disagrees. Those who carry concealed weapons are not carrying to demonstrate force; they are carrying it for another explicit reason. “The people who own guns have perceived some sort of problem in their life, that made them choose to carry,” Burke said. Gun activists such as Burke perceive the world as a possible threat,
forcing them to carry, but are conscious enough to avoid unnecessarily alarming the general population. “You have to be somewhat mindful of the people around you. I think that people tend to get nervous if they (students) see a gun,” Burke said. Others still perceive weapons as a threat. Freshman Dustin Tice is one of those. “I just don’t feel safe if guns are on campus,” Tice said. It seems as though legislators represent the majority of student opinion by blocking bills such as HB222. Still, the voter who may want to see guns on campus may need to make additional compromises before students feel comfortable sitting next to a pistol-pocketing Pete.
Alternative gun storage scarce for students
Soccer, volleyball and football are all in action this week for HC.
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Kimberly Brown, an occupational health junior, suggested, “There should be a college registry for guns concealed on campus, that way, you could appease both sides.” In the terrible circumstance where a school crises does occur, those who have a disregard for current gun laws will ultimately break it no matter how punishable the murder offense is. “If someone wants to kill someone (on) campus, they will. They’re not going to register their firearms anyways,” Brown said. Ultimately most students on campus would rather shoot HB222 dead before permitting guns on campus.
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Weather Today
Cheyenne Perry Journalist
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Davied wuerth/THE ARBITER
Semi-automatic weapons lined up at a local gun shop. Guns are not currently allowed on campus.
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Kimberley O’Bryan
Saturday
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The Arbiter
Teachers weigh in on campus weapons policy
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In March, the Idaho House of Representatives passed a bill allowing concealed weapons on Idaho campuses but it was killed in the Senate. Rep. Erik Simpson, who introduced the bill said he isn’t sure whether or not he’ll reintroduce it in 2012. Last March, Boise State’s faculty Senate voted unanimously in support of policy 1080 in order to keep firearms off campus. The policy states, “The possession, wearing, carrying, transporting, or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, incendiary device, or explosive is strictly forbidden on university owned or controlled premises or vehicles.” Assistant Professor of Instructional & Performance Technology/COEN Anthony Marker, P.h.D, is a former member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) with an instructor rating as well as an Army National Guard infantry officer ranked as an expert with a rifle. “... I have a passing familiarity with firearms,” Marker said. He is against guns on campus for two
reasons. He said he feels faculty members would leave and go teach at a gun-free campus and he believes the university is a place for free exchange of ideas and concealed weapons on campus could jeopardize that goal. “Having more un-uniformed people waving guns around or, God forbid, slinging bullets, in an environment chock-full of innocent bystanders would make it even more difficult for law enforcement officers to respond swiftly and accurately to a violent incident,” Marker said. Gary Christensen, member of the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association and an affiliate of NRA, has a different viewpoint. He said he believes someone who has been through an FBI background check and firearms safety training, a requirement of a concealed weapons permit, isn’t someone who should be feared. “Why wouldn’t a student or faculty member feel comfortable sitting next to a student who is armed?” Christensen asked. His point is there is essentially no difference between university property and the coffee shop across the street, yet, citizens are allowed to carry their concealed weapons there.
Troy Rohn, P.h.D., faculty senate member and professor of biological sciences recognizes citizens’ rights to bear arms, but supports Boise States current “no firearms” policy. “As a faculty member, we are interacting with students in a stressful environment, where a single grade may determine whether or not they can gain acceptance into a graduate school or professional school setting,” Rohn said. “It is my opinion that such a law would completely change the entire student-faculty interaction, in a negative manner.
For students who own guns and live offcampus or have family nearby, storing guns is not a problem. But for students without these resources, keeping guns for hunting and recreation can be difficult. Though the debate to change campus gun policy may solve this issue, other alternatives provide a solution. Keeping guns in storage units provides a safe substitute to having guns on campus. Unfortunately, not very many storage units around Boise allow gun storage in their facilities. After contacting multiple storage units in and around Boise including Victory Self Storage, Republic Storage, Idaho Self Storage and Stor-N-Lock Self Storage, The Arbiter found only Idaho Self Storage locations in Boise have no restrictions on keeping guns in their facilities. Most storage facilities do not allow any kind of explosives in their units. Even unloaded firearms without ammunition are prohibited. These items threaten companies with possible liability and insurance problems. Boise shooting ranges and gun shops also do not provide storage for firearms. Boise Gun Company, Impact Guns and Buckhorn Gun and Pawn do not provide any storage services. Another alternative for storing guns is to find someone willing to take payment in exchange for storing firearms in their safes. This provides a secure solution for students without having to purchase a complete storage unit. However, students taking this route should make sure to get all agreements in writing.
ONLINE How do you feel about guns on campus? Take the poll on arbiteronline. com and tell us where you stand. arbiteronline.com