Wow!
What a can of worms I opened with this thread.
I see merit to arguments on both sides. Here in Alabama, one can receive a CCW in minutes. Go to local sheriffs office; background check; picture taken; pay your $20 and you're good to go. No instruction on safety, firearms handling, situational "shoot, don't shoot" discussion, or target shooting qualifying.
I'm all for any legal citizen having the right to obtain their CCP.
But, I would very much like to see AL enact some kind of class instruction and range qualification (fat chance of that). Some states do not recognize Alabama CCP because of the fact that their is no qualification other than not being a criminal.
Dr. Meyer, and others, have raised some very valid issues concerning training, or the lack thereof, of college age persons, or any age for that matter. Many of the college students in my town have firearms and usually keep them in their vehicles, much to the delight of car burglars. I read police reports everyday in the local paper and not a week goes by without at least one pistol being stolen from a vehicle. (fodder for a different thread). None of these students, that I know of, have had any training.
I own and manage student housing so I have close interactions with students daily. The overwhelming majority of them, by the time they reach 21yo, are quite mature and responsible. Now 18, 19, they've got some mistakes to make and growing up to do, just like we all did. But, don't sell them short on maturity at 21.
We're all basically of the same frame of mind here. We hold fast and strong to our 2nd amendment rights. We fear those who would love to take that right from us. I must err on the side of one having the opportunity to defend themself and others in a college setting. Certainly it is flawed and fraught with possible nightmare scenarios (I've heard reference to Johnny accidently shooting Suzy cheerleader). But, I'd rather they have the chance to defend themselves in the admittedly unlikely event of a crazed shooter(s) as opposed to resorting to throwing books and pencils at them...