Shootings. We hear about them every day, from Sandy Hook to Charleston to the closer to home Dallas killings. So frequent are these tragedies that we have become all but numb to the fact that countless Americans meet their end at the end of a barrel every year.

We cannot deny that America has a problem. Some would argue that we have a gun problem, others are adamant that we have a “not-enough-guns” problem. In a world of polarizing extremes, it can be near impossible to have a constructive debate.

The UT-System has adopted a policy for on-campus carry that has been met with “heavy fire” from opposing crowds and not much in defense. Over the next paragraph or so I will try to offer some small backing as to why I think on-campus carry could be a positive augmentation for UTSA.

Firstly, and arguably most important, is that everyone should understand that only licensed individuals are allowed to carry on campus. This requirement acts as a general filter, keeping many firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

Secondly, and almost contradictory, we must consider the fact that UTSA is an “open” campus in a relatively busy urban/retail area, meaning that we have no real walls, gates, or other sets of security check-points from which to green-light every individual coming in and out of campus. Thus, it would be extremely easy for anyone with destructive desires to sneak in and wreak havoc on our very concentrated campus of over 30,000 students well before help arrived.

Thirdly, we all know that simply setting up a “ban” doesn’t stop everyone, just take a look at UTSA’s recent on-campus smoking ban. How many of us have still witnessed countless groups of individuals lighting up around and (*cough*) even in buildings.

At the end of the day, the issue of gun control is an incredibly complex topic that both sides hold truths on. However, I think it is safe to assume that the general student body at UTSA are, in fact, law-abiding citizens, and therefore I would much rather put my trust in thousands of my fellow Roadrunners AND our solid PD rather than solely the latter.

In the words of Captain America, “I know we’re not perfect, but the safest hands are still our own.”