At a loss for words...and frankly, I'm frightened.

For the last however many months, there has been buzz, conversations,seminars, round table discussions, proposals and quite a few other things about gun rights in Texas. A couple months ago, our stugdent government had a forum about the topic to see where our students stood. There were some pros and some cons, but ultimately they voted no. Things started to calm down and the conversations about the topic kind of died down. It still needed to be voted on in the house and the senate, but I'm not sure anyone thought it would pass. I certainly didn't. History has shown us that concealed handguns on campuses is not something that University Officials are in support of.

Well... as I always tell my students, history can influence your future, but it doesn't have to dictate it. I use this statement them help them move forward, but I wish that it was somethine like Use your history as a outline to your future... or do as you/they did before you...

Yesterday, the senate voted to allow concealed handguns on campus in TX passed and I am very uncomfrotable with this. I got into Student Affairs to develop lives, not to protect lives. I think it still needs to go through the house before being signed, but I will have to do a bit kore investigating.

they have got to know that even thought justifications have been give, that the state of teaching and developing will change as a result of this. Challenge and support may ultimately become just support in fear that you may just push one students right over that line and that they MAY have weapon on them. Private conversations will be affected because closed doors may result in no one coming out. A typical calm, loving environment becomes one of threat and fear.

How are we supposed to live with that? how are we supposed to teach with that? how are we supposed to move forward.

Last night, I was thinking... I've been in Arlington for about 6 months and I have talked to Police Officers more this semester than I ever have in one semester. Now, the outcome for most of these situations have been very mild, but what if this law had passed at the beginning of the semester. Would the outcomes have been different?
I work in Greek Life, so why do I feel fear at all? t's because regardless of the titles and areas, we work with people and people can be unstable.

I keep thinking, I've only been here for 6 months. It's too early too live. There's so much more I can offer this community. There's so much more that they deserve to get from being in this community...and then I hear myself think "Is it really worth it to put your life in jeopardy?"

That may be a bit early, but I'm a future thinker, and the future is looking pretty bleak.

Think about the poosibility of a gun in classrooms, in restrooms, in offices, in residences halls, in the on campus police station, in the rec center,in libraries, in food courts, in large open areas...

Now think about a population of 33,000 plus possibly bringing a gun into those same areas.

Am I overreacting? I think not, and fortunately or unfortunately...I value my life and my sense of feeling protected or at least safe.

I don't know what the future holds, but....I don't know.