by Jordan Houser
There has been a rising concern for the safety of students on campus as well as within the Bexley community.
An attempted abduction took place on campus Aug. 28, which resulted in an eventual arrest.
A student was also robbed at gunpoint two blocks from campus on Aug 29.
No arrest was made.
These events have both students and Bexley citizens asking about self-protection tactics, such as carrying a concealed weapon.
“University policy says that you can have no weapons on campus. That includes anything concealed or otherwise” Sergeant Scott Kunkle, said.
Any student carrying a gun or related item deemed to threaten the lives of others is subject to both university policy and legal recoil. In Ohio, a college campus is a firearm-free zone, or a location in which even those with a permit may conceal no guns.
While some would argue that carrying a weapon would increase student safety, others uphold that obtaining a permit does not necessarily mean that an individual will pose no threat.
“Training requirements should be more stringent to educate those holding a concealed handgun license regarding various situations” Charles Kimerline, third year student, said.
“They should be as proficient or more proficient than their law enforcement counterparts because they are held personally liable for their actions and should be well-versed in the legalities regarding using their weapon and should have appropriate experience with using the weapon to serve as a safety tool to innocent bystanders rather than a threat.”
The university also mandates that no weapon of these sorts be kept in a residence hall, academic building, or vehicle parked on campus.
Any university property is off limits.
Pepper spray is another popular defense mechanism, especially with college age women. Despite recent rumors that it is illegal to own or use pepper spray in Bexley, there is in fact no ordinance disallowing possession or use. This will most likely come to the relief of many students.
“I’m not familiar with any ordinance banning [pepper spray]. That is the case with the use pellet guns, air rifles, those sorts of things.
But I’ve never personally come across anything involving a citizen owning or needing pepper spray.” Officer McCullough of Bexley Police Department, said.
Students all hope that they will never need safety devices, but agree that preparation is most important.
jhouser@capital.edu
