By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Nearly 35 people with firearms expressed their Second Amendment rights Saturday in Bowling Green as they walked across the campus to downtown and back. Their purpose was to have a dialogue with people about allowing concealed carry on campus. But very few people engaged in conversation with those armed with handguns and rifles.
The organizer of the walk, Jeffry Smith, from Cincinnati, towered above the group with his white cowboy hat on top of his 6-foot nine-inch frame. He calmly instructed the group on safety measures – keep long gun muzzles under control, keep chambers empty and safeties on – and explained the purpose for the walk.
“We want to advocate for concealed carry on campuses and spur conversations on gun rights,” Smith said. He has organized similar walks at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, Akron University, and plans one soon at Miami University.
“Right now students don’t have a legal choice to carry on campus,” he said. “People ought to have that choice.”
But not everyone on campus believes concealed carrying of guns will make it more safe.
Richard Anderson holds sign as Jeremiah Van Buren, with an AR-15, approaches him.
“I’m here to protest people who I believe are coming to intimidate this community by carrying guns,” said faculty member Richard Anderson, who stood by quietly holding a sign reading, “Remember Trayvon.”
“I don’t feel comfortable with people carrying guns on campus on a routine basis,” unless they are law enforcement, Anderson said.
Some of the armed walkers tried to engage Anderson in conversation. “I’d be happy to dialogue with them if they came back without guns,” he said. None did.
Armed walkers said they attended to protect their rights. “I just want to promote awareness and support the Second Amendment,” said Phil Hodges, of Toledo, who was armed with a WWII handgun and an AR-15.
Chris Chapin, of Fostoria, was wearing his Glock 9mm as he carried his 2-year-old son and pulled his 5-year-old son in a wagon.
“I’m here for gun safety,” Chapin said. “I’m all about safety because of them. I want to raise them up right with gun safety.”
Chapin said he carries his gun almost everywhere he goes. “We need to keep the Second Amendment alive.”
Meanwhile, silent protester Debbie Dalke, of Bowling Green, was more focused on keeping people alive. “When it gets to the point there are so many unarmed kids killed, that you can’t even remember their names, it’s too many,” she said.
She held up a sign referencing Jordan Davis who was killed in Florida by an armed motorist for playing loud music. “Weapons can’t outweigh any other rights, like your freedom of speech,” Dalke said.
As she carried her handgun, BGSU student Molly Musial, said she sees it differently. “I think it’s a good idea,” she said of concealed carry on campuses. “You hear about all these school shootings.”
On the other end of the age spectrum was Don Gregg, Weston, who said he has carried a gun since 2014. “I found the older I get, the more vulnerable I am.” On Saturday, the 68-year-old was packing a Ruger 357 Magnum.
“I am here to try to raise awareness of legalized carry,” Gregg said. “It’s not only lawful, it’s our right. We do so for defensive purposes.”
But the same items that made the armed walkers feel safe, made others uncomfortable.
Bowling Green Councilman Bruce Jeffers, who has one child at BGSU and another headed there next year, said the group with guns is “misguided.”
“I just don’t think having guns on campus makes it safer for them or anybody else,” Jeffers said.
Jeffers recalled Bowling Green City Council being required to change its municipal ordinance a couple years ago to allow guns in parks due to a state law. “I wanted to see what it felt like to be around this,” he said, looking at all the armed walkers. “It doesn’t feel very good.”
Bowling Green State University Police Chief Monica Moll explained that while open carry is allowed on campus and in the city, BGSU currently does not allow concealed carry on campus. The board of trustees could allow concealed carry if it wished to take such action.
BGSU Police officers were on watch during Saturday’s walk, just to make sure it went smoothly. “Folks don’t know what the law is and might be alarmed,” Moll said. Plus the chief wanted to make the armed group aware that BGSU students were in the middle of “undead” games, during which teams jump out and shoot each other with Nerf guns.
A handful of students took up their real firearms and joined the walk, but others on campus seemed to not have much interest. Though Jeffry Smith’s goal was to “start conversations” about gun rights, when he or others approached students sitting outside in the sunshine, few wanted to discuss guns.
As he walked across campus carrying a pizza box, Matthew Cunningham, a senior from Cleveland, said allowing guns at colleges would just increase the statistical likelihood of violence.
“There are very few mass shootings that have been stopped with open carry,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Cunningham said he previously attended school in Cincinnati, where there was more violence – yet he doesn’t see more guns as the answer. “I’ve walked over people’s blood off campus and I still feel this way.”
Another group of students stood by as the gun walk moved past them.
“I think concealed carry on campus is a terrible idea,” said DeQuan Sims, from Youngstown. “If it happens, I’m going to switch schools. It will be like Grand Theft Auto.”
Nathan Kresman, of Bowling Green, added that guns and alcohol don’t mix well. “We are young and people are stupid,” he said.
“It leaves too much open opportunity for things to happen,” said Simieone Spivey, of Columbus.
“That’s asking for a school shooting,” said Mahaila Adams, of Findlay.
One of the armed student walkers had some mixed feelings. “I was raised by a Marine and a police officer, so I have a healthy respect for guns,” said Kyle Haynes, of Massillon. Though he joined the walk, Haynes said he has concerns about open carry laws on campuses.
“I don’t trust everyone with guns,” he said. “It’s a potential accident waiting to happen.”
Community picnic held in green space in response to armed walk.
As the armed walkers crossed campus, traveled through the downtown, then ate at Jimmy John’s, a group of about 50 Bowling Green citizens met for a peaceful picnic and Frisbee in the green space on West Wooster Street.
“When we heard about the walk, it made me feel very uncomfortable, and anxious, and upset,” said Christine Englebrecht. Rather than protesting the walk, she and others decided to do something that would build a sense of community.
Englebrecht questioned the true motive for the walk as an attempt to start dialogue. “When you walk in town with a loaded gun, that’s shutting down the conversation,” she said. “You’re not trying to promote discussion. You’re alienating people. You’re scaring people.”
