A recent poll of nearly 200 University of Hartford students showed that 71 percent support changes in gun control laws.
The poll, which was conducted by journalism students in March, showed that many students favor major gun control proposals.
The assault weapons ban was a particularly popular idea; when asked if these weapons should be restricted to military personnel, 68 percent of students said “Yes.”
Although many would believe that these results might be attributed to the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, perhaps the most surprising result of the poll was the fact that only 48 percent of students said Sandy Hook changed their views on gun policy.
Based on the numbers, it seems as though gun control was already a popular idea among University of Hartford students before the tragedy.
Some students, however, are wary of these proposals. “If more people were armed, more shooters would get taken down.
If anything, we just need stricter background checks,” responded John Basiuk, a 22-year-old junior.
“I’ve heard other states are thinking of training teachers and principals how to use a gun and I think that’s a great idea,” Basiuk responded when asked about whether school administrators should be armed.
This proposal proved unpopular overall, with 91 percent of participants saying they were against the idea.
“We can’t even trust the police to shoot the right people!” exclaimed sophomore Matt Haskins when asked the same question.
“Sure, principals can arm themselves, but not on school property,” Steve Smith, a 22-year-old art student, joked.
Allowing college security officers to carry guns proved to be a popular proposal.
Although 79 percent of students said they feel safe on campus, 55 percent of students agreed that schools should have armed security for extra safety.
According to University of Hartford Public Safety Director John D. Schmaltz, Public Safety officers currently carry “handcuffs, OC spray, and defensive batons.”
When asked how he feels about a majority of polled students favoring armed security, Schmaltz focused on his department’s ability to neutralize an armed threat.
Currently, Public Safety officers are only in a position to “observe and report” if a dangerous person is carrying a firearm.
“The expectation for public safety officers is what the campus has to look at,” said Schmaltz. “Do we want them to stand up to the threat or observe and report?”