KCCI.com, IA
04-17-07
Armed Security Issue Raised After Mass Shooting
Students Say They Would Feel Safer
AMES, Iowa -- Campus police at Virginia Tech were armed during two shootings
on Monday that left 33 people dead, but they were not involved in stopping the
shooting spree.
The issue has sparked a debate over whether campus police should be armed.
"I was just talking with a friend, actually. And we were just imagining, like, what if
that happened this week? I mean, this is VEISHEA week," said Iowa State
University junior Katie Olson.
VEISHEA is a festival that was named after the colleges the university had when
it was founded in 1922 -- veterinary medicine, engineering, industrial science,
home economics and agriculture.
ISU administrators are keeping close tabs on details emerging from Virginia Tech
so they can learn from them. ISU's top public safety officer is reviewing his
department's procedures.
"It's an ongoing process. As the facts from the situation at Virginia Tech become
available to us, we will draw on those to see if there are lessons learned that we
can apply here," said Iowa Department of Public Safety Cmdr. Gene
Deisinger said.
Police officers at Iowa's public universities are not allowed to carry guns. The
Iowa Board of Regents sets that policy.
"I guess that would be a question I'd have to refer you to the regents and to the
president. That would be their prerogative," Deisinger said.
He added that he had a position on the issue but did not elaborate.
Iowa State students are talking. They have mixed opinions.
"I don't think I'd have a problem at all with them carrying weapons, carrying guns.
I think overall it would be a good thing," Olson said.
"I'd feel more comfortable if they did, to be honest. It would just prepare them a
lot more," said ISU freshman David Carlson.
"Honestly, I don't think they should be able to have guns. I mean, the city police
are just so close. I mean, it's like a mile or two away.
So I don't see the point," junior John Herriges.
In restricted circumstances, presidents at Iowa's public universities can authorize
their officers to carry weapons. But under normal circumstances, those officers
are not armed.
Unlike ISU, Drake University is a private university with its own security officers.
They do not carry guns.