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GMU-SCC Press Release from May 11, 2007

TEX1N

Regular Member
Joined
May 15, 2006
Messages
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Location
Northern VA, Virginia, USA
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I just realized that the GMU-SCC press release from 5/11/2007 was never posted on OCDO. This will give everyone a better idea of who we are.

[line]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2007
CONTACT: Andrew Dysart

GMU Students for Concealed Carry formed at Virginia's George Mason University


George Mason University Students for Concealed Carry (GMU-SCC) is a student group that has come together in the wake of the recent Virginia Tech tragedy. The purpose of GMU-SCC is to advocate for repeal of the administrative gun carry ban at George Mason University (GMU) for concealed handgun permit holders.

Recent tragedies, such as the events at Virginia Tech and California State University, have proved one thing: college campuses are not as safe as students and parents were led to believe. Every citizen has the right to protect him or her self, and GMU Students for Concealed Carry demands that George Mason University recognize this right of their law-abiding students.

George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia, is the largest school in Virginia with close to 30,000 students. Current policy at GMU prevents students that hold concealed handgun permits from bringing a handgun onto campus. These students are at least 21 years of age, and many are military or law enforcement veterans. Individuals who are not affiliated with the university, according to state law, are not prohibited from carrying firearms for their protection.

Andrew Dysart, the current president of GMU-SCC, recently founded the organization. Dysart said "The irony of this situation is that students attending the university can do nothing to protect themselves from criminals, but non-students have this right. This policy does not take into account that the vast majority of Concealed Handgun Permit Holders are law abiding citizens; all have been scrutinized by extensive background checks and taken courses in handgun safety."

The current policy (George Mason University Administrative Policy NO. 56: Policy Preventing Weapons) is under review. It has been removed from the University website, but a recent Freedom of Information Act request revealed that it was enacted in 1995. Dysart said, "This policy is outdated. It is not illegal for the general public to carry a concealed handgun on a public university campus, so why deny the campus community this same right? The fact is that any adult student may be expelled from GMU for lawful gun carry, and the moment they are expelled the same person can carry a handgun on a GMU campus without recourse."

George Mason University Students for Concealed Carry is calling upon the University to immediately change this outdated and unjust policy.

For more information please see:
GMU-SCC (coming soon): http://www.gmustudentsforconcealedcarry.org/
Other Schools: http://www.concealedcampus.org/

GMU Students for Concealed Carry is currently pending recognition as an official student organization by George Mason University officials. The GMU-SCC President can be reached via email at gmustudentsforconcealedcarry@gmail.com
 
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