The gun debate on college campuses has not passed the notice of college faculty, but the rationale behind the faculty and staff at the University of Wisconsin is a relatively new one.
Claiming that concealed carry on campus “threatens the progress of education,” Holly Hassel, a gender, sexuality and women’s studies professor from UW-Marathon County, e-mailed Gov. Scott Walker and other lawmakers to let them know that UW faculty and staff had voted to approve a resolution condemning the presence of guns on their campuses.
“[A]llowing concealed carry permit holders to bring firearms on university grounds, buildings, or into classrooms threatens the progress of education and the expression of ideas and makes the university less safe,” stated the resolution passed by UW’s Senate Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee, described as “the main governance body of the UW Colleges,” is headed by Hassel, who in addition to currently pushing for a gun-free campus is also working on a collaborative project titled “Surviving Sexism in Academia.” Not a stranger to controversy and activism, Hassel signed a petition calling for a recall election against Gov. Walker in 2011.
The fight to protect UW’s education from the “threat” of concealed carry is a response to Wisconsin’s proposal earlier this month to consider campus carry, in turn eliminating “gun-free zones.”
In October, two Republican lawmakers introduced the bill that would allow licensed gun owners to carry their weapons on campus and in the classroom. Only days later, Wisconsin Democrats responded with a bill to eliminate weapons from campuses completely.
What the Steering Committee and Hassel failed to note in their proposal is what happens to the right of gun owners who are legally allowed to carry their weapons.
Furthermore, while the Steering Committee justifies their representing UW to Wisconsin legislature as “a voice for students, faculty, and staff on issues relating to campus safety and general well-being,” they don’t mention that no one on the Steering Committee was elected to be that “voice.” Unlike lawmakers, who are elected by the people to represent the people, who right now have the lawful right to a license to carry a weapon.
Hopefully, while the debate over campus carry continues, professors like Hassel will continue to do their job despite feeling that it “threatens” education altogether.
(h/t MediaTrackers)
