As some of you may know, a federal court has decided that the Illinois weapons ban is unconstitutional. The court gave the state 180 days to come up with legislation that will allow its citizens to carry weapons with reasonable public restrictions. A hearing held in Springfield on Feb. 19 gathered public opinion about gun safety and legislation. The main bill in question is HB 0997, which has language protecting the University and its buildings. However, there is nothing in regarding us, the students, and where we live and socialize.

The reality is that if language is not inserted, there is no way for us to prevent anyone who can legally carry a firearm from carrying it along Green Street. What I have been lobbying for is simple. I feel that this discussion is better to be had here with the University, police, the local population and us — not in Chicago or Springfield. We here on the local level should be able to determine the extent that students are exposed to firearms on campus.

The points I have brought to the General Assembly would do just that — it would move this debate to our hands. We would not have groups like the National Rifle Association, Illinois State Rifle Association or Citizens Against Concealed Carry speaking for us. 

Further, I don’t think someone in a rural or city population could fully understand how unique and wonderful our campus is. So why should we let them decided for us such a heavy issue? 

Let us fight to ensure that we have the say here and further make sure that whatever we decided does not deprive other student populations from things they would want. 

Christopher Dayton, 

Illinois student senator and senior in LAS