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March 15, 2005
Editorial
We are concerned with the reaction of many students to the formation of the Hamline University Gun Society. While we are advocates of gun regulation, not use, we strongly oppose voting against an organization being chartered on the basis of not liking guns. This goes against Hamline’s mission and desire for diversity.
Diversity is not only accepting and welcoming a variety of races, ethnicities, and cultures, it is also the
respect for opinions and organizations of many perspectives. This effort for a more diverse campus should be extended to include a gun society.
We do not plan on becoming a member of the organization and will never advocate gun use, but we will respect the perspectives of others and argue here on behalf of the rights of the students to form this organization.
On Tuesday, March 8, the Hamline University Gun Society (HUGS) was chartered with a vote of 23 for, nine against, and one abstention. While the organization passed without too much debate at the general assembly meeting, the opinions of those voting against was that guns should not be advocated and Hamline should not support a group that supports the use of a violent weapon. It is here that we think the naysayers have it all wrong. It is important, nay, imperative, that Hamline “stick to its guns” and be consistent with all student organizations that apply to become chartered, not just organizations that advocate for what we personally deem important.
Besides, HUGS isn’t about advocating violence. HUGS is about the respectful and responsible use of guns. The organization plans to use its funds to store weapons off campus, make routine trips to a firing range, and pay a professional to lead training and certification classes for guns. This should be an effort that Hamline supports.
Even Charlton Heston would agree that it’s better to have people using safe weapons in a confined area with all the precautionary measures taken than to have untrained, uncertified students wielding guns about the Cities. There are very few opportunities in the Twin Cities to go hunting, obviously, so to show support of the use of weapons indoors at an appropriate venue shows support and respect for the differing perspectives of many students on campus.
Posted by msveum at March 15, 2005 01:58 PM
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