May - Wingspan

18Wingspancampus newsMay 2, 2011wingspan.lccc.wy.eduConcealed weapons law does not apply to college.By Kadie FloudPhoto EditorWyoming has become one ofonly four states that allow concealedweapons without a permit in theUnited States.However, there are still places inWyoming where concealed weaponsare prohibited. Laramie CountyCommunity College is one of those.Along with hospitals, courthousesand banks, Wyoming school campusesare the exception to the newlaw. Lawmakers believe these areplaces where residents do not needto carry weapons on their person—concealed or open.For many schools, a studentor faculty member can go to thesecurity office and request a permitto carry a concealed weapon oncampus. However, that does nothold true for LCCC.The director of campus safety andsecurity, Ron Bailey, said, “Accordingto state statute, it is illegal to carrya concealed weapon on any collegecampus without permission fromthe security service of that college,and I don’t grant permission.” Thisrule also includes vehicles.If a weapon is found in a vehicleor on a person, that person can beremoved from campus or arrested.“I see no need to carry a firearmout here,” Bailey said. He said somecolleges in Colorado allow concealedweapons on their campuses.“We’re going to be challenged; it’sa matter of time,” Bailey said. Baileysaid he feared a time if somethingbad were to happen, there could bea massive shootout and there wouldbe people who are not trained shootingindiscriminately.Bailey said he believed in adangerous situation, it is law enforcement’sduty to use firearms ifnecessary. If someone had a gun andwere to try to deter the situation andan officer approaches him, althoughthey he has self-defense, the officercould see that as a threat. This couldend the life of an individual who wasjust trying to protect himself.There is no age limit for opencarry in Wyoming.Where Students Shop First!FREE EVERY FRIDAY!For a Little “Spice of Life”638-8591620 Central Ave.Tuesday–Thursday11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday11 a.m. to 9 p.m.tweetsFollow ouratwww.twitter.com/lcccwingspanClassifiedswyotraders.com