In Joan Neuberger and Ellen Spiro's recent article "Campus carry wrong for UT faculty, students", they support the continuing fight against Senate Bill 11. This new law allows students with concealed handgun licenses (CHL) to legally carry on campus, while giving the schools the right to declare some parts of their campus as "gun-free zones."

Laws or rules against concealed carry will not stop anyone who wants to do harm to you or others. Criminals and those who intend to do people physical harm, do not care about laws. They will bring their gun onto campus, or anywhere without extensive security, and do as they wish. CHL holders are typically law abiding citizens with a desire to properly defend themselves against those who wish to impose harm on them or those around them.

Unfortunately, 9 people have lost their lives this week, when an armed shooter entered the Oregon Community College campus near Roseburg, Oregon, and opened fire on students there. These people relied on first responders to rescue them from this clearly troubled shooter. Chris Mintz, a US Army veteran, rushed the shooter, getting shot 6 times. If there had been someone like Chris that was armed and willing to defend the class, this tragic story could have had a better outcome.

Senate Bill 11 is not here to give us all the right to start reenacting John Wayne movies in the middle of campus, or start waving our guns around threatening people who don't support the same view points in classrooms. The law is here to allow us to defend ourselves and the people around us. We don't always have time to wait for the police to show up. We must defend ourselves from danger as it presents itself. I can guarantee you that should the need arise, I will defend myself and my classmates with my life if that's what it takes.

May our thoughts and prayers be with those families affected in Oregon.