BENTONVILLE — An advocate for stricter gun control stated his case for universal background checks for those trying to buy guns, while another man argued the United States already has plenty of restrictions on firearms and the people who own them.
That was part of the conversation at “The Gun Control Forum: The Issues Behind the Sensationalism,” a student-organized event Wednesday at NorthWest Arkansas Community College.
Doug Krueger, who teaches philosophy and world religions at the college, and James Morphew, a college student who served three combat tours with the Army, served as panelists and offered different views on gun control.
At A Glance
Gun Debate
Another gun-related event is planned at NorthWest Arkansas Community College at noon April 12 in room 108 of the Student Center. A debate will be held on whether college faculty and staff members should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus. Students and staff will participate in the debate. The event is free and open to the public.
Source: Staff Report
Both men gave opening statements, then answered questions from two student moderators as well as audience members. About 40 people attended.
America has about 5 percent of the world’s population and at least 35 percent of the world’s civilian-owned guns, Krueger said. He cited a study showing about 270 people are shot each day.
“If we do nothing we’re going to get the same results,” Krueger said.
He offered mandatory background checks, particularly for sales at gun shows and other private sales, as the primary method for keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
Morphew said anyone with a felony on their record is prevented from getting a gun, adding there is a “ridiculous” number of crimes that qualify as felonies.
Later in the forum, he expressed skepticism about the usefulness of background checks.
“I always hear this slow lurch toward more and more regulation of everything,” Morphew said.
Moderators asked the men to weigh in on the issue of college staff being allowed to carry guns on campus.
Gov. Mike Beebe signed a bill into law last month allowing college and university employees with concealed handgun permits to bring their weapons on campus, but the law allows each school’s board of trustees to opt out of the provision.
Morphew said the college should allow staff to carry guns.
“If you look at the locations of mass shootings, they pretty much hit the places where no one is armed,” he said. “This is an excellent opportunity to add a little bit of safety to campus.”
Krueger responded with a reference to the 2009 shooting spree at Fort Hood, where one man reportedly killed 13 people.
“Everyone was armed (at the base),” he said.
Morphew was quick to counter that claim, saying soldiers aren’t allowed to carry concealed weapons on military bases. The Fort Hood shooter fired on unarmed personnel and was stopped by the police, he said.
Krueger and Morphew also gave different views when asked what they believe is the purpose of the Second Amendment.
Morphew said it ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights.
“It is a civil right, to defend your home, hearth, family and property,” he said.
Krueger said the Second Amendment is outdated.
“It probably was made to assure people could have guns in case the experiment known as the United States did not work out so well, which probably made sense,” Krueger said. “Now 200 years later, that’s an antiquated law. We should get rid of it.”
Chris Huggard, a history professor and service-learning coordinator at the college, guided the students who organized the forum. He introduced the panelists and moderators and explained the event was a service-learning project for the students.
The event also was intended as a fundraiser for Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. Audience members were encouraged to donate canned goods or money.
Huggard urged everyone present to mind their manners.
“Please don’t clap, don’t boo. This is a civil forum,” Huggard said. “This is meant to be an intellectual exercise.”