Weekly Spotlight 8/28/24 – 9/4/24
College Campuses Expand Concealed Carry
There are many benefits to concealed carry and more and more college campuses across the U.S. are starting to take note. The presence of legally-armed individuals enhances personal safety on campus, deterring potential attackers or mitigating the harm caused by a threat.
For too long, college campuses have been considered “gun-free zones.” We know criminals do not follow the law, and a bad actor intending to do harm with a firearm will not think twice if they see a “gun-free zone” sign. In fact, these restricted areas often have the opposite of their intended effect, creating vulnerable, unprotected soft targets that criminals choose to hone in on knowing they won’t face armed opposition.
West Virginia University (WVU) is one of the latest campuses’ to introduce concealed carry. This is a monumental step forward that reflects a commitment to personal freedom and the protection of students, faculty and staff.
WVU’s recent decision acknowledges the right to self-defense extends to all areas, including educational institutions. The move to permit concealed carry follows an example set by other institutions across the country. Campuses in Texas, Utah and Mississippi have demonstrated that these policies do not lead to increased violence, but rather empower individuals to protect themselves and others.
The momentum for concealed carry on campus continues to gain traction. Notably, the University of Wyoming is considering a similar policy, reflecting the state’s strong commitment to upholding Second Amendment rights. These campus-wide discussions are a testament to the positive change sweeping across the nation and underscore the importance of continued 2A advocacy at the local level.
As we praise WVU’s groundbreaking decision, we are reminded of the ongoing fight for 2A rights. Regardless of whether you are a college student, it is critical to remain engaged and proactive in advocating for the expansion of concealed carry policies on college campuses.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of concealed carry.
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OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
The New York Times: How A Federal Court In New Orleans Is Driving The Conservative Agenda
August 26, 2024
Mattahias Schwartz
The Supreme Court term that ended this summer delivered a number of big wins for traditional conservative causes. The court made it easier to challenge federal regulations. It made it harder to prosecute former presidents. And it delivered another decision that expanded the rights of gun enthusiasts. … About 1,000 miles away, in New Orleans, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has turned its corner of the federal judiciary into a proving ground for some of the most aggressive conservative arguments in American law. Six of the 17 judges were nominated by former president Donald J. Trump, who has vowed to continue transforming the federal judiciary with further nominations if elected again in November.
August 23, 2024
Charles Creitz
West Virginia and Montana led 27 states Wednesday that filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court urging the court to “rein in” the Biden administration’s new frame or receiver rule. The states, through their attorneys general, alleged the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ new rule essentially broadening the definition of “firearm” to include gun parts (like frames and receivers) is an “overreach.”
Straight Arrow News (California): Concealed Carry Advocates Score Win Against California In Federal Ruling
August 23, 2024
Lauren Taylor, Evan Hummel, and Jake Maslo
In a win for Second Amendment rights advocates and a blow to California gun control measures, a federal judge ordered the state accept concealed carry permit applications from out-of-state resident on Thursday, Aug. 22. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down many states’ gun restrictions that did not align with the United States’ “historic tradition of firearms regulations,” California passed a handful of laws to restrict the ability of citizens to carry weapons in public.
The Reload: Harris Caps Off DNC With Call For AR-15 Ban, Other Gun Restrictions
August 22, 2024
Stephen Gutowski
Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris called for a ban on the most popular rifle in America during the final day of the party’s convention. On Thursday, the Democratic National Convention closed out festivities with a block dedicated to the party’s gun priorities. A series of gun-control advocates spoke on the main stage in the lead-up to Harris’s acceptance speech. Then, Harris promised action on guns in her remarks.
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