A committee of the Arizona Legislature is weighing arguments made today over a proposal to let people with permits to carry concealed weapons bring guns to K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.The Senate's Judiciary Committee listened to more than two hours of testimony about the proposal, but didn't take a vote.
The testimony came four days after a gunman opened fire during a lecture at Northern Illinois University, killing five young people before turning a gun on himself.
Supporters say the permit-holders should be allowed to carry guns at schools so they can defend themselves and others if a gunman starts shooting people and police haven't yet arrived at the scene.
Quick quiz. How long before the shooter opens up in a free-fire zone (aka School) and someone calls 911 and the police respond? 5 minutes? 10? 20 in rural areas? Ok now how many bodies can you pile up in that time?
Opponents say police officers urgently responding to a school shooting might have difficulty distinguishing innocent permit-holders from the gunman.