POCATELLO — When it comes to guns being allowed on the campus of Idaho State University, or any school in the Gem State for that matter, two local law enforcement leaders says it’s simply a bad idea.
“Yes, the (U.S.) Constitution allows us to have firearms, and I support that, but there are places where it’s just not a good idea,” said Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen. “I think places like courts and schools have the right to say there can’t be any guns there. I don’t think it’s a violation of their rights, it’s just common sense.”
A bill that would allow retired law enforcement officers and holders of an enhanced concealed-carry permit to possess a handgun on Idaho college campuses is gathering steam. On Wednesday, the Senate State Affairs Committee by a vote of 7-2 opted to put the bill in front of the full Senate.
Proponents argue that the bill is necessary to uphold constitutional rights and allow students and staff to protect themselves. Guns would still be banned from dorms and other campus housing, as well as concert halls and stadiums.
States that currently allow campus-carry are Colorado, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Wisconsin and Utah. Most, including Idaho, leave it up to schools to decide.
University and college presidents, as well as law enforcement leaders throughout Idaho have come out against the bill.
Pocatello Police Chief Scott Marchand acknowledges there has been an increase in recent years of incidents on college campuses throughout the U.S. But he says allowing concealed weapons to be carried by individuals on the campus of ISU could mean substantial difficulties for law enforcement should an incident occur there.
“If there is a situation, and several individuals have a gun, most of them are going to have them out,” Marchand said. “How are police supposed to know who are the bad guys and who are not? The school environment, whether it’s grade school, high school or college, is not a place for weapons.”
It’s the same concern Nielsen brought up, calling the bill one that serves more as a philosophical statement rather than a practical one. He says multiple people armed on a college campus during an incident presents substantial issues for officers responding to the scene.
“Tactically, who are we supposed to take out?” he asked. “Anyone with a gun could be seen as a target.”
Nielsen said he doesn’t believe prohibiting guns on college campuses is a violation of constitutional rights in the same way prohibiting them in other public buildings is not a violation.
“We do it with other buildings,” he said. “You’re not coming into (the Bannock County) Jail with a gun. You’re not coming into (the Bannock County courthouse) with a gun.”
Like Nielsen, Marchand says he’s always been a supporter of the Second Amendment and the right to own guns. But the amount of training given, even in the case of an enhanced concealed-carry permit, just doesn’t compare to the training a law enforcement officer receives when it comes to handling an incident on a school campus.
“From a law enforcement standpoint, I have to look at the big picture and ask, what good does it do to put them on campus?” Marchand said. “And I don’t see that it does any good.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
(3) comments
It is not only the police who might go after the wrong person. These people might start shooting at each other ! Also the officer who recently shot a dog at large should be fired. Not only for shooting the dog but for his attitude towards the public. The old time officers who I knew would have made friends with both the dog and his owner. Man up and calm down officers.
It's odd that you can talk to both the local sheriff and police chief but neither mentions that concealed carry on campus with a permit is not unlawful. It's just prohibited for students, faculty and staff by contractual arrangement.
The university administrators can expel students and fire faculty and staff for carrying concealed on campus. But, the administrators must follow due process procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and Faculty/Staff manual. No crime is committed when a person with a valid CCW permit carries a concealed weapon on campus.
A member of the public not affiliated with the university can carry legally on campus openly and concealed with a valid permit. The university can demand the citizen leave the campus but no crime is committed if he leaves immediately.
If you don't believe this, answer this question. Why are there gun shows held semi-annually on the ISU campus if guns are prohibited by law? The administrators can't waive criminal law and the police chief and sheriff aren't negligent in the duties, failing to arrest the hundreds of people with guns on campus. It's just that it isn't a crime to carry on campus.
Sorry, I disagree... If a properly trained concealed weapons holder had to get involved in something, it would be over long before the police arrived. They would also know how to present themselves to arriving officers. [thumbdown]
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