The widespread national debate over whether or not to allow guns on college campuses has people disagreeing over how it will affect rape prevention.
The New York Times recently described how advocates of concealed carry on campuses are pointing to guns as a means of self defense for potential rape victims. Some supporters of concealed carry have listed rape prevention as a major reason why they support guns on campus, such as Florida representatives Dennis K. Baxley and Greg Steube and Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, all of whom are Republicans.
But many organizations have disputed that idea, such as the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus and One in Four, which provides educational programs on sexual assault to colleges. John D. Foubert, national president of One in Four, told the New York Times the argument that guns will decrease sexual assault incidents “represents a misunderstanding of sexual assaults.” Foubert said that many sexual assaults take place after consenting behavior, which would make it “near impossible to run for a gun.”
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Other arguments against the idea of guns helping rape prevention came from reports in news outlets MSNBC and Jezebel, both of which pointed out that most rape victims know their assailants, making it unlikely that victims would use a gun. That idea is supported by a report filed by the National Institute of Justice, which found that 90% of rape victims know their attackers. MSNBC also reported that some female students testifying against guns on campus to a Texas committee earlier this month said guns could be used by potential rapists just as easily as potential victims.
Ten states currently have bills in congress concerning guns on campus. They are Florida, Nevada, Indiana, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.
Tell us what you think. Will concealed guns on campus prevent sexual assault?
