OSU Will Not Allow Conceal-Carry on Campus

In the wake of House Bill 48 that allows for conceal-carry persons to carry guns in school safety zones, Ohio State University has decided to remain firm in their current gun policy: no guns on campus, according to The Lantern.

Amending the current policy would mean the decision would have to come from OSU’s board of trustees.

Previously this year, OSU President Michael Drake spoke out against the concealed carry provisions during a segment of WOSU’s “All Sides with Ann Fischer.”

“None of my colleagues or myself think that’s a good idea,” Drake told the NPR affiliate.

While students on both sides of the spectrum have been protesting the idea of guns on campus, one pro-gun rights activist group marched through campus in early December, legally open carrying firearms.

The march’s goal was to educate individuals about concealed carry laws, especially on college campuses. Independently organized by Jeffry Smith of Cincinnati, we spoke one of the participants, Stephen Feltoon, the day of the open carry walk to shed some more light on the groups intentions, “We (meaning participants, this isn’t an organized group) invite discussion, debate, and dialogue. We also wanted to raise awareness that university students can legally open carry on campus but may gave disciplinary action, which is not fair.” Smith said to me.

The group, which walked on campus for several hours today, turned heads with what many would consider “dangerous looking weapons.”

“Open carry is completely legal within the State of Ohio, including on public colleges and universities. Concealed carry, however, is illegal on all college campuses. Open carrying is a more effective way to get students and passersby to engage us in conversation; it’s more head-turning than a sign or a t-shirt. We would much rather have the right to carry concealed here.”

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