End Gun Violence | Graphic by Abigail Abbott | The Wright State Guardian
The topic of gun control is a hot-button issue that is facing our country and affecting more and more people. After recent events, Wright State University students held a protest supporting gun restrictions.
Background
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, shootings of all kinds are on the rise, including unintentional, intentional and interpersonal violence. Numbers have jumped in the year 2023 compared to previous years.
On Nov. 20 at the Beavercreek Walmart, four people were injured when a gunman walked into the store and opened fire. Following the Beavercreek Walmart incident, WSU students held a protest against gun violence.
The protest
The protest was on Wednesday, Nov. 29, in the afternoon. Students stood outside Hamilton Hall and chanted to bring awareness to the issue of gun violence.
“I saw some people out in the corridor in front of Hamilton Hall. They were chanting,” Joshua Buescher, a Social Science Education major, said. “They had a decent turnout given the protest topic.”
Students stayed out for a few hours before turning in. In those hours, they made sure their voices were heard.
Protesting at Wright State
WSU has a policy, University Policy 1260, that harbors the idea of free speech, meaning anyone can come and protest things that they see as injustices.
“It is not the proper role of a state institution of higher education to attempt to shield individuals from free speech, including ideas and opinions they find offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical or wrong-headed,” the school policy reads.
The Student Union and Recreation Director and Interim Dean of Students, Eric Corbitt, made a statement about free speech on campus.
“We must harbor these ideas of free speech,” Corbitt said. “The current policy is as long as it is in an outside area and doesn’t impede on official university business, it’s acceptable.”
Students at WSU are able to protest if they feel the need to do so as long as the protest follows the rules of Policy 1260.
“I like the policy. I think it’s important that everyone is well-heard and able to assemble if need be,” Buescher said. “I feel like it’d be against the law to not let us do it, but it’s still nice the school is open about it.”
Awareness
Overall, the protest was done to bring awareness to this issue and demonstrate student voices. The protest showed community leaders that students want to put an end to gun violence and make others more aware of gun safety.
“Free speech is one of the most important rights that we, as Americans, have. It is imperative for us to use it in appropriate ways,” Corbitt said.
