As Fourth Anniversary of Virginia Tech Shooting Tragedy Approaches, Advocates Opposed to Guns on Campus Bills See Success

Bills fail in several states, while battle continues in Texas

NEW YORK, April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four years ago on April 16, 2007, Seung-Hui Cho, armed with two semiautomatic handguns and several hundred rounds of ammunition, shot and killed 32 people and wounded many more on the campus of Virginia Tech before killing himself.  

The gun lobby's immediate reaction was to call for permitting the carrying of loaded handguns on college campuses. This year, legislation has been introduced in 20 states that would allow anyone with a concealed handgun permit, including students, to carry and possess loaded handguns on college campuses – in classrooms, sporting events, student dormitories and libraries.  At this writing, guns on campus bills/proposals have been defeated in several states. Utah is currently the only state that forces its nine state- supported colleges and universities to allow guns on campus.

The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus, a project of GunFreeKids.org, is urging colleges and universities to band together to oppose the gun lobby's agenda to push guns onto college campuses. To date, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and more than 275 individual colleges and universities in 36 states have joined the Campaign. View list at www.keepgunsoffcampus.org.

Andy Pelosi, Campaign Director, issued the following statement:

"Today, in honor of the victims of Virginia Tech, we are holding a nationwide call in day to Governors asking them to support safety and say no to guns on campus.  School administrators, faculty, law enforcement and especially students around the country are speaking out for their right to maintain gun-free campuses.  This strong opposition has already resulted in bills being defeated in Colorado, Florida, Idaho, New Mexico, Virginia and West Virginia."  

"In Texas, a huge outcry from students and survivors continues to keep legislation from coming to the Senate floor.  While in Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer has until today to either veto, sign or ignore amended legislation that would allow concealed handguns on public right of ways that cross through public universities, rather than on school grounds and campus buildings – a major concession."

"As we remember the fourth anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy, let's honor the victims and families by striving to keep our campuses gun free and safe," said Pelosi.  

SOURCE Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus