Should University Officers Carry Guns?
Posted on February 14th, 2006 No Comments »
That's the question of the hour, after a university policewoman shot a student at Florida Atlantic University. This was the school's first experience with such an incident.
Many people argue that allowing guns on campus, regardless of who carries them, increases danger for everyone.
Others argue that guns are necessary, as life-threatening circumstances may arise.
Others, like Police Chief Bill Ferrell, want to compromise: eliminate guns, but let officers carry Tasers.
The Palm Beach Post reports:Officer Mary Douglas shot FAU junior Zachary Carroll in the hand and chest early Wednesday after he went on a rampage, bashing windshields and car windows, smashing a stop sign and lunging at her.
According to police officers and reports of witness accounts, Carroll – who is 6 feet tall and weighs 300 lbs. – was raging out of control after getting into a fight in his dorm. He left the dorm and smashed a car window, and one witness account had him spitting on an officer who came to the scene.
According to campus police, Carroll rushed at an officer, Mary Douglas, who shot him once in the shoulder. "All the accounts [from other officers and student witnesses] indicate that she feared for her life," said Bill Ferrell, Florida Atlantic's police chief. Carroll was listed in fair condition late last week.
Ferrell, who became chief last month, said he heard that the previous police administration talked about equipping officers with the dart-firing electric weapons, but did not make a purchase.
The Taser guns shoot two small fishhook-like probes delivering a 50,000-volt paralyzing shock. The weapons manufacturer and trainers say police officers should use their judgment when determining whether to use a Taser in place of deadly force.
At least 19 police agencies in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast have the stun guns.
Ferrell said he wants to buy at least six for his department.
"I can't predict what would've happened 24 hours ago if the officer had the Taser," Ferrell said, adding that it might not have stopped Carroll, who is taller than 6 feet and weighs more than 250 pounds. "But it's definitely a tool we need to look at so we can consider putting it to use."
What do you think? Which option would provide the safest setting for students and officials?
Did you enjoy this article?
