College Presidents, Students, and Mayors Against Illegal Guns Call on Congress to Prevent Gun Violence
Feb 04, 2013
College presidents from across the country gathered inWashington, DC today and joined with leaders from the United States StudentAssociation (USSA), International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and Mayors Against Illegal Guns to demand thatCongress take action to end the epidemic of gun violence that kills 33 Americans every day.
Since the Newtown shooting, 350 college presidents have come together through College Presidents for Gun Safety, as well as the Executive Committee of the Association of American Universities (AAU) on behalf of their 60 university members, to sign a letter calling for political leaders to take concrete steps to prevent gun violence.
The college presidents today endorsed common sense gunreform legislation that will:
- Require that every gun buyer pass a criminal background check
- Get military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets
- Make gun trafficking a federal crime.
The higher education leaders also expressed their collective opinion that arming students and faculty on college campuses, as the NRA has proposed, will make us less safe, not more safe.
Statements from Participants at Today’s Event:
Dr. Lawrence Schall, President of Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, Ga.)
“College and university presidents certainly don’t agree on every major issue facing our nation. But when it comes to ensuring the safety of our students, our communities, and our country, there is broad consensus that we need to cometogether and speak out. Today, I am proud to join my fellow educators to urge congressional action for rational gun legislation and expanded mental health services for young people. We can no longer afford to remain silent while 33 Americans are being murdered with guns every day.”
Dr. Hunter Rawlings, President of the Association of American Universities
“Americans everywhere are calling on Washington to pass common-sense reforms to our gun laws, and we are proud to join them. In order to protect our college campuses and our communities from gun violence, we need sensible measures. Requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales and taking military-style assault weapons off our streets will help save lives – plain and simple. It’s up to our leaders in Congress to demonstrate their courage and back these proposals. The country is counting on them.”
Tiffany Loftin, President of the United States Student Association (USSA)
“We have seen far too many shootings and far too much bloodshed – on our streets, in our communities, and even on our college campuses. Gun violence is a national problem that requires a national solution. On behalf of students across theUnited States, I urge our leaders in Washington to stand up for the safety of the American people. We need action, and we need it now.”
Michael Webster, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators(IACLEA)
“Arming college students and faculty is a dangerous proposal that campus law enforcement officials strongly disavow. In the fight to end gun violence, the answer isn’t more firearms. What we need are tougher laws that will help keep guns out of the wrong hands. It’s time for Congress to join college presidents, students, and law enforcement in our push for common-sense reforms that putsafety first.”
Mark Glaze, Director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns
“We’ve seen the horrors of gun violence on our college campuses before. The country will never forget the massacre at Virginia Tech, and the 32 innocent students and faculty who lost their lives that day. Our national coalition is extremely grateful to the 350 college presidents who have joined together to demand common-sense gun reforms like background checks for all gun sales. They are part of a growing chorus of Americans calling for action – Washington must listen.”
College Presidents Participating in Today’s Event:
Elizabeth Kiss, Agnes Scott College (GA)
James Edwards, Anderson University (IN)
Elizabeth Coleman, Bennington College (VT)
Scott D. Miller, Bethany College (WV)
Ed Schrader, Brenau University (GA)
John Smarrelli Jr., Christian Brothers University (TN)
Carol E. Quillen, Davidson College (NC)
Dale T. Knobel, Denison University (OH)
Loren Swartzendruber, Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
Lee Pelton, Emerson College (MA)
Richard Meyers, Fielding Graduate University (CA)
Sanford J. Ungar, Goucher College (MD)
Axel Steuer, Illinois College (IL)
Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran, Kalamazoo College (MI)
Jim Collins, Loras College (IA)
Rick Torgerson, Luther College (IA)
David Wilson, Morgan State University (MD)
Peyton Helm, Muhlenberg College (PA)
Lawrence M. Schall, Oglethorpe University (GA)
Rock Jones, Ohio Wesleyan University (OH)
Jim Dlugos, Saint Joseph's College of Maine (ME)
Carol Ann Mooney, Saint Mary’s College (IN)
Dottie King, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (IN)
George Arnold, Silver Lake College of the Holy Family (WI)
Samuel Stanley, Stony Brook University (NY)
Judith Huntington, The College of New Rochelle (NY)
Ronald R. Thomas, University of Puget Sound (WA)
Pamela Trotman Reid, University of Saint Joseph (CT)
Richard H. Dorman, Westminster College (PA)
