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Summit County
Monday, April 27, 2015
Gun advocates open carry across the University of Akron campus
The event is similar to walks at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University last year
by WKSU's KABIR BHATIA |
Reporter
Kabir Bhatia | | |
 | | Jeff Smith (left) has led similar events at OSU, the University of Cincinnati, Oberlin College and on Cleveland's Public Square | | Courtesy of KABIR BHATIA |
About three dozen gun rights activists walked through the University of Akron over the weekend to garner support for concealed carry access on-campus. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports. |
University of Akron walk draws awareness for concealed carry on campusOther options:  MP3 Download (0:50)
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Most of the three-dozen participants carried firearms openly as allowed under Ohio law and say they wanted to peacefully engage students to educate them about the state's gun laws.
Carlos Sanchez came from Kent State -- without guns -- just to watch and participate. He says concealed-carry is a good idea, but he probably will not take advantage of it.
“On a personal level, I don’t think I would. Just because it’s hard to safely lock up a firearm on campus; it’s hard to get a gun safe into tight spaces. It would promote a freer atmosphere where people who do want to carry wouldn’t feel so confined.”
The Students for Concealed Carry Foundation is involved in a case against Ohio State University to allow open-carry on its campus. Ohio State – and the University of Cincinnati – were both sites of gun walks last year organized by Cincinnati firearms instructor Jeffry Smith.
“There are those who live in the residence halls. And as I understand it, the university does not allow firearms in the residence halls. So they’re here to take part in the walk [and] to support the education interaction. And I think to support the notion that there ought to be the choice of concealed-carry on campus for those who possess [a] concealed handgun license.”
The walk crisscrossed the mostly empty campus on Saturday afternoon. Last year's events went off without incident, as did the Akron walk. |
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Advocates take up the debate over guns again on Akron streets
