By Brian Nutt Decker
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 26, 1998

Guns and students don't mix

To the Editor

If only we had all listened to Rachel Alexander's common sense the tradegy in Arkansas Tuesday could have been avoided? To think, all we needed to do was arm all those other middle school children? More guns are obviously the best way to ensure peace?

The Arizona Board of Regents' weapons-free zone policy is saying that the campus is a school, a place of learning not fighting. How can open debate with honest opinions exist in an environment of physical intimidation? As a school, as students, as teachers and as everyone else in the campus community, I call on us to strive to show that the mind is the most powerful weapon a person can possess. A weapon which cannot be taken from you, or turned against you, and when used properly harms no one.

So I ask you, next time you think of guns and school think of those who died, not on the battleground, but on the playground. Most of all THINK.

Brian Nutt Decker
Environmental Science Senior