University reacts to gun legislation

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - When you send your kids to college, you want them to stay safe, but what will keep them safe?
Some folks think more guns on campus would help. Others aren't quite sure.

Last September, Indiana Senator Jim Banks introduced legislation that would allow students to carry concealed weapons on campus.
     
News 10 spoke with students at Ivy Tech University about this issue.
"Well if something happened, and that person had a concealed gun on them, then they get the first chance to do something," one student in favor of the legislation said.

Another against it said, "We pay tax dollars for the police to protect us, and our schools. I rely on those people to put my lives in their hands."

Right now Ivy Tech has a zero tolerance policy on all weapons. It's a policy Chancellor Ann Valentine  thinks is best.

"Any time you have large numbers of  people, in a particular place, there's the opportunity for conflict. So I would be very concerned about students carrying guns," Chancellor Ann Valentine said.
     
Valentine said right now, Ivy Tech is working with the state. They've already begun training faculty and staff on updated emergency procedures. They also have armed enforcement on the grounds.