Various students around the country protested against their campus anti-firearm policies by wearing empty holsters during a week in late October. These schools included neighboring universities like the University of Kansas and Oklahoma State University.

According to the university handbook, "Kansas State University prohibits the possession or use of firearms, explosives or weapons on campus."

Recent violent crimes on campuses have encouraged some students like those in Students for Concealed Carry on Campus to question these policies.

According to www.concealedcampus.org, the SCCC is an organization comprised of students on campuses across the United States. SCCC's main goals are to convince state legislatures and school administrations to grant concealed handgun license holders the right to carry on campus, educate the public about concealed carry and to dispel rumors or myths in opposition.

Bryce Eastlick, an SCCC organizer, said one argument for allowing licensed students to carry a concealed firearm is the ability to help police officers in times of emergency.

"When it takes the average police or security department between five and 15 minutes to respond to an emergency call, it becomes difficult to diffuse a situation in a safe and timely manner," Eastlick said.

When the concept of weapons on campus is mentioned, the situation that occurred at Virginia Tech comes to mind with many students.

"It was a terrible situation, and out of respect, that is not our platform of campaign," said Eastlick. "Though, it has raised awareness on many different fronts; the false sense of security that students on campus have, the effectiveness of gun-free zones, as well as the lack of defense that those on college campuses have."

Susan Allen, K-State's director of nonviolence education, said she does not like the idea of people having guns at universities.

"I don't think everybody's talented enough to handle a gun safely," she said. "It's like a baby with matches. I don't think people are mature enough to carry them...do you trust everyone you know to drive a tank through campus?"

According to the Kansas Attorney General's Web site, www.ksag.org, concealed-carry license applicants are required to pass a thorough background check as well as a gun-safety course assigned by the attorney general.

Student Body president Matt Wagner said he thinks there is reason to worry.

"I think [allowing conceal-and-carry on campus] would be more harmful than helpful," Wagner said. "We have a gun-control policy for a reason. More guns coming to the table would be more of a risk."

A gun-free-zone liability bill has been introduced in Arizona and Georgia. The bill said if an area is created as a gun-free zone, the owners or operator of the property are liable for any harm it causes to victims who might have otherwise been concealing a weapon, according to a pro-firearm Web site, www.gunlaws.com.

Eastlick said a criminal doesn't need to have a gun to be dangerous to certain people.

"A concealed firearm becomes an equalizer for a 120-pound female when a six-foot, 180 pound male attacker threatens her," Eastlick said.

Wagner said there is no talk of the current gun-free-zone policy on campus changing through student government or any other means.

"I think that conceal-and-carry in Kansas is a good idea," Wagner said. "I just don't believe that campuses are the perfect place to have concealed weapons."

Some students may have taken these matters into their own hands. Eric Hyde, KU's SCCC student leader, said he thinks it's OK for students to carry on campus - despite the laws against it.

"If campus policy infringes upon students' constitutional liberties, students should not feel afraid to conceal a weapon for the sole purpose of protecting themselves and others," Hyde said,. "Once students see a successful, positive example of concealed carry, opinions on this issue will change...such an example will bring more support [for concealed carry.]"