The Ranger Online

Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Opinion

More guns are not solution to gun violence

The problem with gun violence - whether it be on the streets, in homes or in our schools - cannot be blamed on video games, movies or music. The blame for gun violence belongs to the prevalence of guns.

The shooting at Northern Illinois University Feb. 14 that killed five students should be a reminder of just how dangerous the easy availability of guns can be.

According to Department of Justice statistics, 477,040 victims of violent crime in 2005 said the assailant possessed a firearm, and FBI data shows that of the 16,137 murders in the United States in 2004, 66 percent were committed with a firearm.

However, some residents of Bizarro World have come to the conclusion that more guns will lead to safer schools and streets.

Before the Illinois shooting, the South Carolina state Senate debated allowing students with a concealed weapons permit to carry guns on campuses, and the South Dakota House of Representatives passed a similar bill. Fortunately, the bill failed in the state Senate, but Colorado and Utah allow guns on campuses.

The logic used by gun rights advocates is that a student could apprehend or shoot a person who opened fire on a campus.

Presumably, a person with a concealed weapons license knows what they are doing and will be able to save lives by stopping a shooter.

Life, however, is not that simple.

A person can become enraged, and instead of putting his hand through a fire extinguisher box out of anger, as a student did here Feb. 1, he could pull out an authorized gun and start firing. A student also could become confused, mistakenly thinking someone is about to shoot. Even well-trained police officers make fatal mistakes.

In 1999, New York City police fired on a black man because they believed he was pulling out a gun; the "gun" was actually a wallet. Black men carrying combs also have been deemed a threat that requires the use of deadly force.

What makes gun advocates think a student will be able to make a levelheaded decision in the heat of the moment, even if they are trained to fire guns, practice gun safety and have permits?

The only way to prevent shootings is for students to be aware of what is happening around them. Students at Virginia Tech said after the shooting there, they recalled suspicious behavior from the shooter.

Getting out of a hole is not accomplished by digging further down, and gun violence will not be solved through the proliferation of guns.

Each of us needs to be aware of our surroundings, pay attention to the behavior of those around us and be willing to be vocal when the occasion calls for it.

Don't you think those at Virginia Tech wished they reported the shooter before the tragedy?

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Students should be vocal about concerns

President Robert Zeigler said that thanks to the new parking garage, few students are having trouble finding parking spaces this semester.

Yet there is a problem: Several students still have trouble finding spaces to park in the morning while Lot 21 is almost half empty.

This semester Lot 21 reverted to faculty and staff use only, while the new garage is open to all on a first-come first-served basis.

To top it off, 24 spaces on the first floor of the garage are reserved for administrators.

Zeigler said in a story published by The Ranger Feb. 15 that his office got only four to five complaints.

Part of the problem is that students always end up getting the raw deal from administration because students complain to each other rather than raising the issue with administration.

Students ignored the president's forum Wednesday.

As long as students continue to stay silent, administration will continue to give them nothing but raw deals because administration does not know what the students' concerns are.

Students need to speak up, and let administrators hear their concerns clearly and rapidly unless students are happy with having two classes of people on campus - the haves who get reserved spaces, and the have-nots who practice Chinese fire drills to get to class on time.

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Look around for best deals on textbooks

Textbooks seem to be getting more expensive each year. Most can remember their freshman year, when they were eager, young college students rushing to the bookstore.

Many more remember returning to the bookstore on the last day of classes and getting only a fraction of the price back.

College students often complain about the outrageous prices on textbooks. Most believe the bookstores are making huge profits.

The college bookstore provides a pamphlet, from the National Association of College Stores, which states that only 4.9 cents of every dollar goes to the store; the rest goes to the production of the book.

The best place to buy textbooks is online because online vendors don't have the same overhead as a college bookstore.

Students looking into buying textbooks online should make sure to check that the seller has received positive feedback from previous customers and that the book is the correct edition.

Another important thing to look at is the return policy. The college bookstore gives students a couple of weeks to return the book. With an online store, the policy may be only a few days or none at all.

Some students prefer to spend the extra money at the college bookstore because they need the book the next day, as opposed to the shipping delays that can happen when ordering online.

Be a wise shopper and compare prices at area bookstores to those of Web sites with shipping charges.

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Transfer smart; research choice schools

Students should gather information about colleges they are interested in transferring to before immersing themselves into a new and overwhelming university.

Students should look at brochures and ask plenty of questions when looking at a senior college. Also ask about alumni who have moved into successful careers.

It's important to remember this college has a transfer center that is able to help students during the year at any time.

Also, ask tough questions about establishing a major, scholarships and financial aid, how many credits will transfer from this campus and how will going to their school benefit into a successful career.

Gather as much information about a senior college, review it, get the facts and visit the university before making any rash or costly decisions.

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