Overview of the issue
In recent years, a debate has been raging on whether guns should be allowed in academic institutions. The issue of guns in schools is important. To some extent, the issue of guns in schools is attached to the concept of safety for teachers and students. Opinions are divided on whether both students and teachers should be allowed to own guns in schools. Some of the proponents of the idea believe that arming both students and teachers would enhance security in learning institutions. Others believe that only teachers should be allowed to own guns as the presence of guns among students would lead to an increase in cases of careless shootings in schools. With the rise in cases of shootings in schools by extremists, it only makes sense that the presence of guns within school premises would help in lowering crime. For example, schools become primary targets by extremist groups because most of the criminals know that they will carry on with their criminal activities without risking their own lives (Lewis et al.) Any criminal would think twice before going into a location where he or she knows that he might get a shot before firing one. Importantly, it’s true that there are multiple stress factors in learning institutions. With this reality, cases of careless shooting would be inevitable.
Question
Should guns be allowed in academic institutions for students, teachers, or both?
Available materials
There is a wide range of sources that relevant information relating to the topic can be gotten from. These sources include online journal articles, books, newspapers and magazines which analyze recent developments, viewpoints, and controversies revolving around the topic. A database such as SocINDEX is an example of a research database with many journals covering a wide range of aspects related to the topic. Others include SAGE Journals, Social science database and Social science research Network. However, researchers are likely to face many challenges when researching this topic. Some of the challenges that are likely to be faced include the challenge in identifying the right methodology to carry on with the research.
Similarly, the nature of the topic requires the researcher to collect views and opinions presented by different individuals to gain more insight on the issue. The finding of study participants is also one of the challenges likely to be encountered by a researcher. Finally, going through the various materials and data sources focusing on the topic might also be a challenge for the researcher especially if the researcher is also involved in other activities.
Positions
The implementation of a policy allowing guns in schools would disadvantage some
To start with, the implementation of a policy allowing guns in academic institutions would be disadvantageous to some groups of students. For example, the white males who control both economic and social power would be more likely to own guns compared to other groups (Shepperd). I similarly, the greatest worry for those who oppose the presence of guns in academic institutions is linked to the safety threats that would be posed by ownership of guns by some individuals(Schildkraut et al.) In this regard, some argue that allowing individuals to own guns for protection would also lead to a misuse of the weapons for non-related activities. This would also lead to an increase in incidences of abuse and potential death. The opposition to this policy is also linked to the fear that the policy would lead to an exemplification of the threat posed by power disparity between the whites and non-whites. For some students and members of staff, the presence of concealed guns in their midst would make them feel more insecure (Shepperd)
Allowing guns in schools would harm classroom debates
Additionally, According to some of those opposed to the idea of guns in learning institutions, guns would hinder the ability of students to express themselves accordingly during debates. Students debate on various topics as part of their classroom activities. In some of these debates, the outcome might be a heated exchange between the two sides or some of those engaged in debate. For those opposed to this policy, possession of guns by some students would make others feel unsafe during debating sessions. For those not opposed to this policy, however, having guns on campus would make them feel more secure as opposed to not having them (Morin).
Allowing guns in learning institutions would escalate cases of gun violence
Finally, allowing guns in schools could hurt gun violence. Gun violence is a major issue in American Universities. According to research, a gun is fired nearly twice every week on an American campus (Beckett).On this regard, a big number so students believe that the increase in the number of guns available in learning institutions would lead to an increase in incidences of gun violence. There is however a huge difference in terms of the opinions held by males and females. The number of males who hold the opinion that guns should be banned is quite big compared to the number of females. In addition to this, a big number of females would also support a policy allowing teachers to possess registered guns, as this would lead to a decline in gun crimes. Others also believe that legislation allowing guns would also lead to an increase crease in gun crimes (Dahl, Gene and Frances)
Works cited
Beckett, Lois. “A Gun Is Fired On US School Grounds Twice A Week, Database Reveals.” The Guardian, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/26/gun-violence-us-schools-database.
Dahl, Patricia P., Gene Bonham, Jr, and Frances P. Reddington. “Community college faculty: Attitudes toward guns on campus.” Community College Journal of Research and Practice 40.8 (2016): 706-717.
Lewis, Rhonda K., et al. “College student’s opinions on gun violence.” Journal of community health 41.3 (2016): 482-487.
Morin, Rich. “The demographics and politics of gun-owning households. Pew Research Center.” (2014).
Schildkraut, Jaclyn, Collin M. Carr, and Victoria Terranova. “Armed and academic: Perceptions of college students on concealed carry on campus policies.” Journal of school violence 17.4 (2018): 487-499.
Shepperd, James A., et al. “The anticipated consequences of legalizing guns on college campuses.” Journal of Threat Assessment and Management 5.1 (2018): 21.
