I am writing you to express my profound disappointment that you are supporting the bill allowing concealed handguns on college campuses. Every expert in law enforcement as well as the major study done after the Virginia Tech shooting have agreed that having concealed weapons on campus does not make students safer and indeed in many cases makes the environment more unsafe. In fact, the data shows that college campuses are among the safest places in America.
As the parent of a student at the University of Houston I can assure you that most of the students feel this is a very bad idea. I have yet to speak with any parent or student who supports this bill. None of my Republican neighbors do. Only the most extreme gun rights advocate could support such a piece of legislation so totally devoid of common sense. I believe if this bill is passed it is just a matter of time before a gun falls into the hands of an immature, possibly inebriated or angry student. I hope you are prepared to live with the consequences of the part you played in enabling such an event. Surely, your allegiance to the far right wing of your party is not more important than the lives of our children. This is the time for political courage. Please reexamine the facts and reconsider your support of this dangerous bill.
Sincerely,
Deborah Mowrey