LTE: Concealed carry could prevent rape

November 8, 2007
Toledo Blade

As a 26-year-old honors graduate, current student, and concealed handgun license holder, I found the editorial "No campus arms race" a personal insult. Everyone is entitled to an opinion in a forum of free and equal exchange of ideas, but I wish to rebut some of its main points.

First, I do not use alcohol or drugs, and neither did most of my fellow honors students, so while these are problems, brashly beginning an article by stereotyping college students is presumptuous.

The editorial cites prevalence of risky behaviors such as binge drinking and drugs, but pays no heed to the fact that college students with CHLs are not these same students. We know this because students with permits aren't causing problems off campus, and would not cause on-campus problems. CHL holders, a law-abiding demographic, have criminal percentage far below the general population's. Why expect me to become a maniacal killer the moment I enter the hallowed halls of education?

Click 'Read More' for the entire letter to the editor of the Toledo Blade.

Allowing concealed carry on campus simply ends discrimination under Ohio law and gives equal rights on campus and off. It does not "expand the Second Amendment." The editorial scoffs at the Students for Concealed Carry Web site, which advocates allowing 21-year-old CHL holders to carry on campus. Since most aforementioned disturbance occurs at the underclass level, and the CHL excludes all but some juniors, seniors, and graduates, the editorial answers its own question.

The editorial implied that 48 college student deaths was small and that Virginia Tech was an anomaly. However, as a woman, I felt the editorial glossed over rape, a life-changing trauma. This alone makes me support concealed carry. To expect me, a petite, 125-pound female to resist a 200-pound male is ludicrous discrimination and gross denial of my right to self-defense. I am very empowered to know I won't be a victim.

Faith Esther Ferkel
Fremont