Students push for guns on campuses

WASHINGTON, April 15 (UPI) -- Wanting to prevent future U.S. college shootings, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus is calling on those with weapons permits to bring guns to school.

The group, which began at the University of North Texas, says it has more than 25,000 members at more than 300 chapters in 44 states, Stateline.org reported Tuesday.

"The government's telling us that we don't have the means to defend ourselves, and the criminals are just going to go and break that law, and we're left having to deal with the consequences," said Mark Cooper, the group's campus leader at Mississippi State University.

Stateline reported that in 48 states, citizens who get concealed weapons permits can carry guns in public areas, but 16 states explicitly ban firearms on college campuses, and the rest of the states allow colleges to make the decision.

The student guns group argues that colleges should allow weapons on their campuses because criminals don't adhere to weapons bans.

"Gun-free zones on college campuses are not working, and they're not creating a safer environment for students," said Andrew Dysart, group's campus leader at George Mason University in Virginia.