This guy is going to be dispensing the "news"?

Last week, I wrote about the shrieking objections raised by the Southern Methodist University student newspaper's editorial staff, about the passage in Texas of Stand Your Ground legislation. Today we look at a piece written by another college student (a senior, and a journalism major)--this one at Western Kentucky University, indignantly stomping his little hooves over the fact that one of his fellow students (a police officer), attended class armed.

I was in a sociology class not long ago and noticed that an off-duty Bowling Green police officer was in the room. He was in his full uniform, including his utility belt, gun in holster.

Just thinking about it now, I am still in shock. A gun in a classroom! This is by far the dumbest thing I have seen as a Western student. There is no excuse for this.

Actually, Brandon, I don't know if anyone is interested in making an "excuse" for it--what is there to excuse?

I was discussing this with some of my classmates and I am convinced that there is no logical reasoning for this officer to have his gun.

If not his gun, whose would you propose he have?

Brandon acknowledges the very real possibility that the officer had no choice but to attend class fully dressed for work, but that's not good enough for him.

First of all, lets say he doesn't get out of class until 30 minutes before he is supposed to be at work. I don't care. If he can't find a place to lock his gun up until he is on duty, then he should reschedule his classes so that he gives himself more time.

And . . .

This officer was obviously off duty at the time and did not have to be fully equipped. If he cannot arrange his work and school schedules in a more conducive way, then he should drop a class.

So the officer should arrange his class schedule around your little neuroses, Brandon?

From what I understand, it's the law, not Western's policy, that says it's OK for an off-duty officer to carry his weapon if he chooses to do so. I understand the law, and I still disagree.

Our university buildings are supposed to be firearm-free. That rule should not change just because a person has a badge on their chest, unless they are there on official police business.

It may seem that I have been a bit rough on Brandon, so I'm happy to point out that we do seem to have one point of agreement--I think he is entirely correct that police officers should not get a free pass on rules/laws that the rest of us are required to obey. Therefore, campus rules should not artificially create a special "Only Ones" caste, and should instead get out of the citizen disarmament business entirely. How many shootings have there been at University of Utah?

If I see this again I will have to address it with the department head. I pay my tuition to come to school here, and at the very least I should have the guarantee of a safe and relaxed study environment.

I wonder what Brandon expects the department head to do about it--violate state law?

Simply put, under no circumstances should I ever see a gun in a classroom. Leave it behind. I do not care what you do with it, but do not bring it into a room full of people who are concentrated on achieving higher learning.

What, again, are you studying with such intensity that you must be spared even the sight of a holstered firearm, in order to avoid disturbing your concentration?

There is no way that a gun will ever comfort me while I am trying to learn about Karl Marx's views on society.

Ahh--nevermind.

Looks as if the next generation of what Mr. Codrea refers to as "Authorized Journalists" is just about ready.