Empty Holster Protests took place on college campuses across the United States April 21 - 25. Students participating in the protest would wear an empty holster to classes in support of state bills to allow concealed carry of firearms on campus.

Although it is recognized that students have their right to freedom of speech, there is a cause for some worry, Michael Viney, assistant chancellor for student affairs, said.

“I am not comfortable with concealed carry on campus. I don’t think it will make it safer,” Viney said. “It’s going to be a challenge for police to respond.”

Laurel Skrede, director of campus police, said students should be prepared for the worst-case scenario if they are allowed to carry concealed weapons and a crisis were to occur.

“Anyone with a weapon would be considered a suspect, especially if they don’t drop it when we’d arrive,” Skrede said.

Some states that already have this state law don’t have issues and have never had a shooting, said Skrede. However, it’s different for how they would react in a situation, especially if they never had training in shooting at people.

“You face the potential of missing your target, losing your weapon and having it turned on you,” Skrede said. “I can’t think of a positive outcome.”

Zach Granzow, senior biochemistry major, was a participant of the Empty Holster Protest. He grew up around firearms, and is in support of a state law allowing concealed carry.

“Not everyone would get a permit. They have a lot of eliminating options,” Granzow said.

Applicants would also go through training, similar to police training, and study gun safety, said Granzow. Those given a license to carry would be levelheaded, and be able to protect fellow students.

“I would be comfortable, it’s nice to have those so-called first responders,” Granzow said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Granzow said students wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between someone who is carrying and someone who’s not, until a situation would arise when they would pull it out.

“Everybody’s still on the same level, you just don’t know it,” Granzow said.

Viney said the administration encourages students to talk about the issue and their perspectives. There is still concern for other students who are uncomfortable with the idea of another student possibly carrying a weapon next to them.

“It’s a mix. Some think it’s good and some are nervous sitting next to a person, especially not knowing how they would react,” Skrede said.

Skrede said if a situation were to occur, those who mean well and are carrying concealed weapons may not know how to handle themselves in a real-life situation that they don’t have training for.

“They may want to do some serious consideration, because if they hit the wrong person they better be prepared for lawsuits,” Skrede said.

Granzow said the percentage of students who want concealed weapons is low. He was one of six people that he saw wearing an empty holster during the protest.

“It’s nice having a person able to protect,” Granzow said. “Besides, if you see three people pointing a gun at one person, it’s obvious what’s going on.”