Kutztown students weigh in on gun policy

Kutztown University students have been honing their debate skills since the college's administration announced this week that it would allow licensed concealed weapons on campus.

Students interviewed on campus Friday resembled a microcosm of the gun-control debate in this country - a majority opposed allowing guns on campus, while a handful adamantly supported it.

"I think it's stupid," said Katey Merkel, 20. "I don't want to get shot."

"I don't see any need for people to carry guns on campus," said Ashley Groves, 19. "We're in Kutztown, not Philly."

A shuttle-bus driver who identified herself as Miss Mitchell said that under the new policy, "I don't feel safe."

"The kids here are great. I just think, if it gets in the hands of the wrong one. You get one kid unhappy with his grades, and who knows what happens?" said Mitchell, 56.

Students who supported the change said they planned to start carrying a gun on campus.

"It's definitely safer to have one. If I'm getting attacked, any person around me could have a concealed weapon and come save me," said Brian Erb, 18.

Friday was the last day of classes at Kutztown, and Erb and his friends were playing Frisbee in the quad. Erb stood alone in his opinion, but the debate remained civil.

"I don't think it's a good idea. Crime rates are already high," said Andrew Volk, 21, recounting recent robberies and rapes in the campus area. "Kids these days, they could be drunk or whatever, they could be doing drugs. They could use it ill-advised in a heated situation."

Alcohol was also Megan Cofresi's first fear. "A lot of Kutztown kids drink down on Main Street," she said. "It could escalate a fight even more."

Adam Hoffman, 20, doubted that the policy would deter would-be criminals. "What law-abiding college murderer would have followed that law anyway?" he said.

Erb agreed with his friends that the university's plan needed work. For one thing, only students over 21 can get a concealed carry permit. And the university is only allowing guns in open areas - essentially, the quad and the sidewalks.

"Supposedly, they're providing a locker for you to put it in while you're going to class," Cofresi said.

"What if someone's shooting the school up? I have to go to my locker, put in the combination, open it out, take the gun out, probably go through some security," Erb said.

"Yeah, it's pretty pointless," Cofresi said.