The current evidence indicates that it did not. In fact, statements made by the shooter reported on Atlanta's WSB radio station state that Dylan Quick had long desired to commit a "mass stabbing".
Even if the prohibition of licensed concealed carry on the premises of all educational institutions, including colleges, were repealed last year, it would not have affect Quick.
Quick is only 20 years old. He is still a minor and not eligible for a concealed carry license. If Texas had constitutional open carry, he still wouldn't have been able to legally carry due to his age.
Quick's weapon of choice was a blade, not a firearm.
Quick put over 10 people in the hospital with serious wounds. Others were treated for injuries at the scene. A couple deemed their injuries superficial and refused medial care. In all, there were over 15 victims.
Dylan Quick could have killed several had his proficiency been better. Many of the injuries he inflicted were to faces and necks. Those could have been slashes to the carotid artery or jugular vein. Such injuries would have been immediately life threatening.
Anti-gun proponents may spin this incident. They may claim that the prohibition saved all those lives. They may claim that if Quick had used a gun, those people would be dead.
If HB 972 had been passed, that would not be the case, at all.
Several witnesses to Quick's stabbing rampage stated that allowing concealed firearms permit holders would have prevented many of the stabbings. One such licensee even stated that had he been allowed to carry his firearm, Quick's victims may have been limited to one or two instead of over 15.
HB 972 was left pending in committee as of March 14, 2013. The bill lifts the blanket prohibition of firearms on college campuses. That prohibition didn't prevent a mass shooting at Lone Star College January 23, 2013. Firearms are banned on college campuses.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 411.2031 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.2031. CARRYING OF HANDGUNS BY LICENSE HOLDERS ON CERTAIN CAMPUSES. (a) For purposes of this section:
(1) "Campus" means all land and buildings owned or leased by an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education.
(2) "Institution of higher education" and "private or independent institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(3) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.035, Penal Code.
(b) A license holder may carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder's person while the license holder is on the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d) or (e), an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state may not adopt any rule, regulation, or other provision prohibiting license holders from carrying handguns on the campus of the institution.
(d) An institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state may establish rules, regulations, or other provisions concerning the storage of handguns in dormitories or other residential facilities that are owned or leased and operated by the institution and located on the campus of the institution.
(e) A private or independent institution of higher education in this state, after consulting with students, staff, and faculty of the institution, may establish rules, regulations, or other provisions prohibiting license holders from carrying handguns on premises that are owned or leased and operated by the institution and located on the campus of the institution.
(g) This section does not permit a person to possess a concealed handgun, or go with a concealed handgun, on the premises of a preschool, elementary school, or secondary school that is located on the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education if the
institution gives effective notice under Section 30.06, Penal Code.
SECTION 3. Section 46.03, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsections (j) and (k) to read as follows:
(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):
(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, unless:
(A) pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution; or
(B) the person possesses or goes with a concealed handgun that the person is licensed to carry under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and no other weapon to which this section applies, on the premises of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, on any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by the institution is being conducted, or in a passenger transportation vehicle of the institution;
(j) Subsection (a)(1)(B) does not permit a person to possess a concealed handgun, or go with a concealed handgun, on the premises of a hospital maintained or operated by an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education if the hospital gives effective notice under Section 30.06. In this subsection, "hospital" has the meaning assigned by Section 241.003, Health and Safety Code.
(k) Subsection (a)(1)(B) does not permit a person to possess a concealed handgun, or go with a concealed handgun, on the premises of a preschool, elementary school, or secondary school that is located on the premises of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education if the institution gives effective notice under Section 30.06.
Meanwhile, students at select campuses in Georgia are staging a protest on April 10, 2013. The students favor amending Georgia law to allow permit holders to carry concealed on college campuses. This comes in the wake of several violent crimes at these Atlanta area colleges, including rape, armed robbery, attempted murder, and assault over the past three or more years. The students plan to openly wear their holsters, with no firearms. The stabbing incident at Lone Star College further bolsters their claims.
Adults over 21 should be allowed constitutional carry, as long as they have no judicial order or sentence prohibiting it. That constitutional right should extend to all public property. It should extend to private property unless the owner makes it explicitly clear that he or she prohibits them. That is an individual right. If a private college wishes to prohibit firearms, they should post signs. It's their right, as private property.
HB 972 is an important step towards restoring the constitutional protections of the Second Amendment.
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