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James M Fisher
Horowitz
23 May 2011
COM 207
Persuasive Speech– Concealed Handguns on Campus
General Purpose: To Persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade audience into wanting concealed weapons to be acceptable on
school grounds.
Central Idea: Concealed handguns should be allowed on college campuses.
I.
Introduction
When you hear the idea of students being able to carry concealed handguns on college
campuses you probably think “no way” and that it’s a terrible idea. Guns will only bring
violence to schools right? WRONG!
II.
Orienting Material
I will be emphasizing on how important it is to uphold the 2nd amendment created by
our forefathers as well as explaining what an individual has to go through in order to
carry a concealed handgun. Finally, I will describe the importance of self defense while
at school.
Credibility
I am a firm believer of the bill of rights and feel we should always be able to arm
ourselves. I understand the importance of gun safety and self defense.
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Transition: Let me begin by explaining the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution Bill of Rights
and describe how it made America what it is today.
Body
The 2nd Amendment is the Right to Bear Arms that clearly states: A well regulated
militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep
and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Enacted in 1791, this is what made America what
it is today, we had minutemen with their own weapons to fight with when called upon
during the American Revolutionary War against the Red Coats (Kingdom of Great
Britain). (Academic Journal: Legal Information Institution)
A. A Bill that allows college students in Texas to carry concealed handguns on campus
was just passed. There is a lot of concerned students especially in the Dallas area
who are deeply worried about the entire Bill, they say they will feel unsafe. I
understand the idea of students with weapons on campus a scary thought simply
because we’re not used to it. But, people need to get the thought of “everyone who
is carrying a gun is a killer” out of their head… School shootings are something we
never want to think about, something we wish to never happen… they’re typically
unpredictable and horrifying… “I don’t ever want to see repeated on a Texas college
campus what happened at Virginia Tech,” said state Sen. Jeff Wentworth R-San
Antonio, “where some deranged, suicidal madman goes into a building and is able to
pick off totally defenseless kids like sitting ducks.” They say it the best, in case of a
school shooting why would you want to be unarmed? Do you want to sit and hide
while a lunatic goes class to class shooting innocent students and staff? Wouldn’t
you feel safe knowing that a few or more of your level-headed peers within your
class have a handgun on them? (Newspaper: Dallas News)
Transition: Now with that in mind, listen to this scenario and tell me what you’d prefer.
You’re hiding behind your teacher’s podium with 25 classmates, lights turned off, blinds
shut, among your classmates are 3 of your best friends, the shooter kicks the door open, walks
slowly behind to where you’re all hiding… the teacher attempts to hit the shooter with a yard
stick but mid-swing is shot dead, the shooter then goes on to kill who he wishes… Pretty grim I
know…
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Or…
Your hiding behind the podium with 23 of your classmates, lights turned off, blinds shut,
the remaining 2 classmates of yours carry a concealed handgun and perch behind desks with
their weapons up ready to fire safely away from the other classmates, they hear the shooter
coming to the classroom, they wait for him/her to open the door and enter to make sure they
are in fact shooting the bad guy, they each take a shot at the shooter bring him/her down
without killing him/her. One armed student would then take aim at the fallen shooter while
the other would make sure the bad guy is disarmed and out of reaching distance of his/her
weapon. (They will know what shot to take, whether it be leg, arm, shoulder etc because of
their mandatory training classes they had to take prior to getting their concealed weapon
permits)
Transition: These students carrying a concealed handgun won’t be average joes who went to
walmart and bought a pistol, they will have had hours of training both with live fire practice as
well as classroom lessons. Here are some of the things you will be taught and do during your
concealed handgun training course (Magazine: Concealed Carry Magazine)
Instruction:
A. Firearm mechanics and terminology.
B. Cleaning and maintenance of a firearm.
C. Concealed carry legislation and limitations. McCain would be held a Prisoner of War,
away from his Wife and kids from 5 and a half years.
D. Liability issues, carry methods and safety.
E. Home defense.
F. Methods for managing and defusing confrontational situations
G. Practice of gun handling techniques without firing the weapon.
Transition: In order to apply for a concealed weapon permit you need to be a lawabiding
citizen, below are some of the requirements (requirements vary state to state, but these are
the common rules and regulations for applying) (Book: Concealed Handgun Manual)
A. Be at least 21 years of age.
B. Be a US Citizen and a resident of the State for at least 6 months prior to application.
An applicant is a state resident if one of the following applies:
* The applicant possesses a valid, lawfully obtained a state driver’s license
or state identification card.
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* The applicant is lawfully registered to vote.
* The applicant is on active duty status with the United States Armed Forces and
stationed outside of Michigan, but Michigan is the home of record.
* The applicant is on active duty status with the United States Armed Forces and
is permanently stationed in state, but the home of record is another state.
C. Have successfully completed a pistol safety training course.
D. Not be subject to any of the following:
* An order requiring involuntary hospitalization or alternative treatment.
* An order finding legal incapacitation.
* A finding of not guilty by reason of insanity.
E. Not be subject to a conditional bond release prohibiting purchase or possession of a
firearm.
F. Not be subject to a Personal Protection Order (PPO).
G. Not be prohibited from possessing, using, transporting, selling, purchasing, carrying,
shipping, receiving, or distributing a firearm.
H. Have never been convicted of a felony in state or elsewhere.
I. Have no felony charge pending in Michigan or elsewhere.
J. Have not been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
K. Have not been convicted of one of the following misdemeanors in the 8 years
immediately preceding the date of application: …. So Many…
L. Have not been convicted of one of the following misdemeanors in the 3 years
immediately preceding the date of application:
M. Have not been found guilty but mentally ill of any crime and has not offered a plea of
not guilty of, or been acquitted of, any crime by reason of insanity.
N. Have never been subject to an order of involuntary commitment in an inpatient or
outpatient setting due to a mental illness.
O. Not have a diagnosed mental illness at the time the application is made, regardless of
whether he or she is receiving treatment.
P. Not be under a court order of legal incapacity in this state or elsewhere.
AND MORE…
Transition: In conclusion, a gun-free zone is an unsafe zone because it only takes one madman
to create a massacre… Anyone can get a gun, might as well let the people who go through the
proper hoops hold theirs on campus to protect innocent lives. (Internet Article:
http://guardian.co.uk)
A. Jeff Wentworth said "There was no one there to defend themselves in a gun-free zone
that was a victim-rich zone," he said. "I'm trying to avoid that type of situation."
Ladies and Gentlemen this concludes my presentation, are there any questions? *Thanks!