Concealed Carry on Campus
January 10th, 2011 by flanewsAn FSU sorority girl is dead after an accidental shooting at a fraternity house this weekend. The shooter, 20 year old Ryan Wilhelm is being charged with manslaughter. As Whitney Ray tells us, the tragedy hits as state lawmakers consider legislation to allow people with permits to carry guns on college campuses.
Over a closed circuit TV signal, 20 year old Evan Wilhelm had his first appearance in court. Wilhelm faces a manslaughter charge for the accidental shooting death of FSU Sophomore Ashley Cowie.
Wilhelm was showing his rifle to a group of friends at his fraternity house Sunday morning, when the weapon discharged, sending a round through Ashley’s chest. She died on the scene. FSU students are shocked at the news.
“My condolences go out to her sorority, her family. It’s just tragic that she had to die so young,” said Jessica Beaugris, a FSU Senior.
While students are mourning the loss of one of their classmates, state lawmakers are working on legislation to allow people with permits to carry guns on campus.
NRA Lobbyist Marion Hammer says the shooting shouldn’t slow down the legislation. She points out that it happened off campus in a fraternity house were guns are banned. Hammer says the legislation is about self-defense.
“With shootings on campus, they are essentially a gun free zone and in a gun free zone the good guys don’t have a chance,” said Hammer.
The bill would only allow people with conceal carry permits, who must be 21, to carry guns. It wouldn’t allow guns to be stored in dorms. Still, sophomore Josh Orendorf doesn’t like it.
“If I’m not carrying a gun then there is less of a chance that I’m going to be involved in any shooting at all and I think it’s the same for everyone involved,” said Josh.
Sadly for Ashley the current campus ban on guns as well as the fraternity’s ban weren’t enough save her life. Wilhelm was released on 25-thousand dollars bond early this morning. The victim, Ashley Crowie was also 20 and a sophomore. She was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.
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