Van Cleave Emphasizes the Need for Self-Protection

By Broadside Staff Reporter Erica Terrini
Photo by Broadside Photographer Molly Maddra

The final event in support of concealed weapons on campus, hosted by the George Mason University College Republicans, assisted by Mason’s Students For Concealed Carry on Campus and Shawn Deehan, took place in the Johnson Center last Thursday.

• Read about the first event in the concealed carry series here.
• And here's information on the second event.

This was the last event held on campus to represent those who support a Mason student’s right to carry a concealed weapon and who argue for less restricting gun laws in the national gun debate.

“Our main goal is advocating for Mason to change its policies to allow students to carry hand guns on campus,” said active member of Mason’s Students For Concealed Carry on Campus Andrew Dysart. “We’re only a branch of the national group of students which has over 23,000 members.”

This event was presented by Philip Van Cleave, president of Virginia Citizens Defense League, who spoke about concealed carry and the national gun debate. Van Cleave also provided a brief gun safety course after the discussion.

Van Cleave began the forum by providing a broad history on the laws pertaining to guns and the public’s access to them through the decades.

It was during the span of the two decades prior to the year 2000 that gun laws nationwide were very constrictive. By 1986, many states were less tolerant and only Vermont allowed citizens the right to carry with a permit. As years progressed, many states became somewhat to moderately tolerant with guns and presently only Alaska and Vermont are unrestricted while most states remain a step below with limiting laws of where citizens can carry guns.

“I thought going through the history provided a range of insight,” said Katrina Petz, undergraduate freshman and history major. “I’ve been curious as to what the counterargument [opposing Mason’s current policies] was.”

Van Cleave went on to discuss the skepticism felt by many citizens about the presence of guns, especially now that many feel the gun laws are relaxing.

“Many people don’t apply logic to gun control,” Van Cleave said. “Gun control is about emotion. Good people will not harm other people. You don’t touch your gun unless your life is in jeopardy.”

Van Cleave also presented the general perspective shared by the Mason students for concealed carry on campus.

“An adult student with a permit should be able to carry,” Van Cleave said. “What is the difference between this room [and] anywhere else?”

Throughout the course of the discussion, there was a prominent aspect of defending one’s self that was the shared priority of the speaker and audience. One point made regarded law enforcement and the cost citizens pay for relying heavily on local law enforcement officials to arrive on the scene.

“People should be allowed to protect themselves and why should I expect a police officer to defend me when I could do it myself,” Van Cleave said. “The truth is, you don’t ever know... when things happen they happen so fast that you don’t have time to call 911.”

Van Cleave went on to encourage Mason students who are fighting for the right to carry concealed guns on campus to educate others and talk to others.

“There is so much hypocrisy when it comes to talking about guns, especially in universities, places where you should be free to talk about anything,” Van Cleave said.

The final statements for the forum were aimed at personal defense, as well as basic rights. In addition, there were remarks examining and evaluating the ways in which the debate on guns and the laws have evolved over time.