I’m sure most of us were surprised to receive an email from President Schubert last week while we were finishing up winter break.

That email contained the decision to ban on-campus carry at Abilene Christian University. To me, it did not come as a shock that the university decided to continue its ban. In my time at ACU, the campus has felt safe and secure. To reiterate Schubert’s comments, the police do a wonderful job of protecting the campus. We are watched over by an aware group of individuals who carry guns of their own. We don’t need an extra variable that could throw a wrench into a functioning, protected environment.

I am not saying this just as a student, but a resident assistant as well. I have seen and heard of some very intense situations in the dorms, and the police have acted accordingly in every situation.

It is understandable that many conservatives might view this action as an attack on their 2nd Amendment rights. It is not. No one at ACU is saying you can’t own a gun back home. No one is saying you can’t get a concealed handgun license. You just can’t walk around with a handgun on campus. People shouldn’t be concerned or angry by the decision because ACU is still going to be ACU.

I am a Conservative. I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment. I am someone that disagrees with banning guns entirely. However, I also do not want to promote someone walking around campus toting a handgun.

The state of Texas may have enacted open carry as law, and 2nd Amendment rights are at the forefront of our minds right now. However, it doesn’t mean we make a unilateral decision and change everything on campus. We are a small, Christian campus in West Texas. This particular situation needs to stay the same.