Should UO police carry guns?
This is a developing story. Watch KVAL News and KVAL.com on February 5, 2013, for more
EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Oregon plans three open campus forums in February and March to discuss the issue of arming campus police officers.
In 2011, state officials granted the UO permission to form the state’s first on-campus police department at a public university.
For the past year, with the help of an advisory group of students, faculty and staff, university leaders have been researching, analyzing and discussing the issue of arming UOPD police officers, the university said.
Campus forums have been scheduled to share information about this topic and hear questions and comments from the university community.
Campus forums are:
- Monday, Feb. 11: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Global Scholars Hall Great Room
- Tuesday, Feb. 26: 4:30 to 6 p.m. EMU Fir Room
- Wednesday, March 6: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Knight Library Browsing Room
There are a number of factors that will help inform the decision of whether or not to make a recommendation to the state board of higher education to arm UOPD police officers, the university said. Informed public input is an important aspect of the consideration.
In addition to attending campus forums, there are other opportunities for members of the campus community to contribute to the discussion. Interim UOPD Chief Carolyn McDermed will be available for small group discussions on the following dates:
- Tuesday, Feb. 19: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., EMU Walnut Room
- Thursday, Feb. 21: Noon to 1 p.m., EMU Board Room
- Wednesday, Feb. 27: 4 to 5 p.m., EMU Walnut Room
- Friday, March 1: Noon to 1 p.m., Bean Residence Hall Moore Dining Room
- Tuesday, March 5: Noon to 1 p.m., EMU Walnut Room
Comments can also be sent to campuspolicing@uoregon.edu.
Additional information is available at: around.uoregon.edu/campus-policing.
An unarmed cop is really just a hall monitor with a radio.Â
A campus is a petri dish of youth/developing emotions/hormones. There is certainly justification for arming those that are there to protect them...from the outside, and from each other.
So I thought the UofO was so safe that even CHL carrying students/personnel weren't supposed to carry on campus. What changed? *sarcasm*
The Emerald did an amazing piece on this very subject, only they did it yesterday.http://dailyemerald.com/2013/02/04/students-to-be-given-opportunity-to-sound-off-on-uopds-controversial-campaign-to-carry-firearms/
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They found that crime is at some of the lowest levels since 2000. They also quote UOPD officials saying these public forums will not change their decision. The gun issue will come down to the state board.
Does Nike even make handgun?
As long as they're properly trained, I don't see the problem. I'll be carrying.
If they don't the bad guys will and then you'll have a dead campus cop, so I say arm them for the good of the public and campus.
A Cop without a gun, is not a cop to a criminal.
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There are a number of universities where the campus police have guns. Â However, it's a solution that is looking for a problem, for the U. of O., as there haven't been any instances I'm aware of where they have needed a gun.
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This issue has come up several times in the last couple years for the U of O, and I've talked to a number of students and faculty, including members of the student council and other groups. Â To a person they have all opposed the idea, most vehemently. Â I urge the U O to pay close attention to their students on this issue (the people they purport to protect with the guns, after all.).
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Nationwide, college campuses are statistically far safer than the communities that surround them.
@Baldr Odinson  briliant lets wait until after something happens on campus before you want to do anything about safety. Thats about the most opposite liberal thing I've ever sceen
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@Baldr Odinson Statistically, gun violence is only a problem in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles  and similar places with draconian gun laws. Statistically, the dead in Virginia Tech, University of Iowa, San Diego State, University of Arkansas, the Virginia School of Law are unimportant. Statisitically, the dead killed by stranger gun violence is minimal. Statistically, automobile deaths are more important. Statistically, texting while driving is more likely to cause a stranger's death than a stranger's gun.
 @hewhoo  @Baldr You've got lots of misinformation there, Hewhoo.  Chicago has a major problem, but the guns are purchased in the suburbs.  New York has reduced its shooting rate to such a low level that it is now a model city.  Most of LA now has a lower rate than most rural areas.  As for auto deaths, 12 states (including Oregon) now have more deaths from guns than from auto accidents, and most other states will join them soon.
 @OregonOrator  @Baldr Ask and you shall receive, OregonHater:
source for info on Chicago guns: Â http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-27/news/chi-study-suburban-gun-shops-source-of-city-crime-20120826_1_suburban-gun-shops-gun-laws-gun-violence
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Information on reduced rates of shootings in NY city: Â http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/bloomberg-gun-control-lower-new-york-crime-rates_n_2535522.html
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Data on gun deaths greater than car deaths: Â http://www.vpc.org/studies/gunsvscars.pdf
@Baldr Odinson  All horseflop until you post citations.. But you never do. You throw out ridiculously false statistics constantly and when you're called on it, you never produce. You do realize that you have zero credibility on these forums, right?
 @Baldr Odinson I think you know my point, as we've discussed it before.
 @PleaseBeSmart Your point? Â
 @Baldr Odinson He's including suicides and completely justified shootings, just so you know. :)
I dont think they should until after we have had a mass shooting on campus.
 @censoredirawoodySo mass shootings have expiration dates, or on Nov. 12, 1984, the student Sniper at Autzen stadium, didn't get the press and body count right?
of course they need to carry guns, that stated question is moronic.  It has already been determined they will, its just the nay sayers opportunity to publicly display their deluded mind.Â
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Oh golly, should the new fire department be allowed to have a hose?
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University of Oregon think tank: Â No brains required.Â
 @Jason Marks I like that: "should the fire department be allowed to have a hose." Thats a really good analogy.Â
Oh no you don't! That's definitely not in the liberal playbook! We'll have none of that nonsense here. Armed school cops couldn't possibly be of any use against a madman. The liberal media tells me so!
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oh come on.. the liberal KVAL media will bash the bad guys over the head with their microphones and camera's.... if you don't see the silly provocatively dressed reporters running for cover , for fear their make up would run.Â
I most definitely think they should be able to have guns.
As a student I am not allowed to pack in class. If someone comes in with a gun planning on intentionally hurting students, I want to make sure the cops will be able to take him down right then. I don't want to have to have them wait for backup!
 @EUGENE541 It's not as clear-cut as all that. The state overturned gun bans on public campuses for CHL holders, and now UofO is trying to use loopholes about building use and implied agreement to prevent students from carrying. It hasn't been brought before the courts yet, but Oregon Firearm Federation will almost certainly be in on the case when it does surface. I would wager that "rule" will go down in flames when it's ruled on. Oh, and you can still carry at LCC.