We are writing concerning the above bills and the amazing and baffling news that you actually co-authored both of them! Yet again, we are astonished at your your disregard of the views of the most directly affected and knowledgeable individuals and groups (college and university presidents and administrators, law enforcement, students and faculty and alumni) concerning the matter of guns on college and university campuses. We are informed by local residents who have attended public meetings with you that you have stated that you have received only positive comments concerning these bills. We have spoken with numerous individuals and have never heard any positive comments on these bills but, on the contrary, expressions of incredulity that you would be associated with such bills. Perhaps you are missing something.
Almost anyone who has gone through the college years with young adult children will tell you that this is a very emotional time. We share the views of experienced college officials and law enforcement that authorizing guns on campuses will lead not only to accidental shootings but will also increase the likelihood of deaths or injury to faculty and students, increase the (already very high) occurrence of successful suicides and create chaotic situations when law enforcement is called upon to intervene to prevent or stop violence on campuses. We are wondering what, exactly, you are going to say to the parents of the first student killed as a result of this bill?
With regard to the carrying of concealed weapons at school board meetings by school board members and the superintendent, we believe it will come as a surprise to those in our community who attend such meetings that, apparently in your view, they and the superintendent and board members are placing themselves in mortal danger by doing so. It also leads us to wonder if you yourself are now so afraid for your personal safety in Kingwood that you are carrying a concealed firearm as you meet the voters who elected you? If so, we think the voters in our area will find that of real interest. We believe that law enforcement should be left to professionals, not amateurs, and that all attendees will be safer with school district security personnel present rather than having guns carried by the superintendent and board members. In the truly unfortunate event that this bizarre bill is passed, we would hope that all those eligible to carry weapons would have the good sense to refuse to do so. Or perhaps you think that all who attend school board meetings should feel compelled to carry a concealed weapon because of the danger of others present who may be doing so?
We suggest that you, however belatedly, respect the views expressed, not just by college and law enforcement officials in Texas, but also by the expert commission which investigated and reported on the Virginia Tech massacre and which solidly opposed guns on campuses.
Karen and Bruce Menke