BY ANTHONY GUERERRO
One Michigan State Representative is speaking out against recent gun control legislation in his state. This follows the Michigan State University shooting last month that killed three students and injured five.
A news release from the MSU Police gives the timeline of the events on February 13.
The first shots fired by the suspect occurred at 8:18 pm at Berkey Hall. At 8:26 pm, the first report of shots fired at the Union came in. Officers arrived at the Union right after the suspect left. MSUDPPS shared photos of the suspect on Twitter, who was spotted a few miles north of the university on Lake Lansing Rd. Officers attempted to approach the suspect but he fatally shot himself.
The Michigan House of Representatives passed three bills requiring background checks on all firearm sales along with more regulations.
Rep. Greg Alexander opposed the bills passed and explained why in a press release.
“These are vague, tack-on laws that won’t deter criminals, but seem eager to criminalize people who are just trying to exercise their Constitutional rights,” Alexander said. “We should focus on enforcing laws we already have and sensible solutions to help stop violence, not rush through proposals that create confusion and consequences for people who are not criminals.”
House Bills 4138 and 4142 replace the word pistols with firearm in the handgun licensure act to include both pistols and long barrel guns like rifles and shotguns, requiring a license to purchase any of the mentioned guns. House Bill 4143 changes felonies under the handgun licensure act to include offenses involving firearms.
FHSU Chief Terry Pierce, director of Police and Security, reassured students that the staff is ready for any situation like what MSU experienced.
“I will tell you that our officers are very professional, well-equipped, and well-trained. Our officers are vigilant, and along with our City, County, and State partner agencies, available 24/7,” Pierce said, asking students and faculty to always stay vigilant of their surroundings in case of a shooting.
MSU prohibits possessing a handgun while FHSU allows people to conceal carry on campus. Some students at FHSU say they are comfortable with this.
Cody Pfaff says he’s a fan of constitutional rights.
“Conceal carry, I believe, is part of that as Americans’ rights to bear arms,” Pfaff said. “Plus, it’s just a little extra protection just in case something happens.”
Another FHSU student, Maverik Flax is in favor of concealed carrying on campus as well.
“I believe that you should be allowed to conceal carry, it’s the right of every American too, so I believe that perfectly reasonable to conceal carry even on campuses,” Flax said.
Neither student voiced big concerns about campus police not being the only individuals in possession of firearms on school grounds.
Pfaff hopes for people to keep an open mind when diving into the gun debate in America.
“I think it is our right and responsibility as citizens of the United States to inform ourselves on topics such as gun control before we say yes or no when siding with one political party or the other,” Pfaff said.
While some students are in favor of exercising their Second Amendment right on campus, a recent shooting at a Nashville elementary school has 2023 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, Melissa Collins asking lawmakers to take action.
“It’s time to come together to create stricter gun control laws,” Collins said in an interview with ABC news. “Whenever you enter a building, you’re hoping that children and staff members can return home. And so we need policymakers to really think about ways to protect us [teachers]. We need you, policymakers, to come together and get it right because we deserve better. We deserve to be safe.”
Three staff members and three school children, all aged nine, were killed on Monday.
Nashville police said yesterday in a press briefing they determined the shooter legally purchased seven firearms from five different gun stores in the area. No motive has been found yet but a manifesto by the shooter details other locations along with a map of the church school that she attended at some point.
“I don’t have a hand to carry a gun,” Collins said. “My hands are full because I am carrying our future leaders.”