Texas SHOULD NOT Allow Guns On College Campuses

Last year, a new state law was passed that allows students to carry a gun around college campuses as long as they have a license to do so. Now being a college student myself, this terrifies me. Anyone could get a license to have a gun; it could end up in someone's hand where it should not belong. I am many of the students who feel unsafe with this law, not to mention the thousands of parents who worry about their children's safety. However, there are some pro's as there are many con's to this law.

Perhaps the people who do own a gun will feel safe when walking around campus if anyone were to try and harm them. In this scenario, I would think a gun is good to have to ensure the safety of yourself. Despite the minimal pro's, there are many con's with this law being passed. Someone carrying a gun could easily think someone is trying to harm them, and possibly shoot them in a matter of "self defense" when the victim was innocent all along. There is really no reason to carry a gun around a college campus. Though there are thousands of students and one can not ensure that they will be entirely safe at all times, there are other alternatives to use if one does not feel safe. For instance, most universities have policies that can escort a student to their designated area. Also many girls carry around pepper spray which is another alternative that someone could use. This way the pepper spray won't put someone's life in jeopardy.

I cannot stress it enough how unsafe it is to allow college students to carry around guns at college campuses as long as they are licensed. For me, there is no difference between a person who is licensed to have a gun and a person who is not. Either way, I feel unsafe to attend school knowing that many students could have guns there. To parents, students, and other fellow Texans, we must change this law to ensure the safety of those around us. This law is not okay and it must be changed. Together, we are the ones who can change this law to live in a more safe environment.

Senate Passes Bill on Inappropriate Teacher-Student Relationship

After reading an article on The Texas Tribune called Senate Passes Bill on Inappropriate Teacher-Student Relationship, I am glad to know that the Senate Bill 7 will take action on the inappropriate relationships that form between students and teachers. This bill allows school principals and superintendents to face criminal charges if they do not report these inappropriate relationships. Teachers are also not allowed to have relationships with students outside of there districts, this is for all the districts. In other words, if you are a teacher, you should not be in a relationship with a student regardless of where he or she goes to school. It's very disturbing to know that teachers are involved in a romantic/sexual relationship with students that are in elementary, middle, and school. The author mentions how Texas Education Agency have opened investigations involving these inappropriate relationships. There have been situations where teachers who have been involved in these situations have still maintained to keep their jobs. This shouldn't happen. Schools are putting other children in danger that may be prone to having these relationships with their teachers. Based off of that, the author's references seem fairly accurate and thorough. I believe the author is trying to let parents, teachers, school board members and students know that inappropriate student teacher relationships are not acceptable and if they are happening, then there will be serious consequences involved. With that being said, I'm thankful that the Senate Bill 7 has taken the initiative to take this matter into hands.