Ohio State attack reopens guns-on-campus debate

Schools should be a safe place, but they can also be a "soft target" for someone with evil intent.

One side thinks there are already too many guns in circulation, while the other is fond of the quote "the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."

Monday's terror attack added a new, frightening twist to the debate, when a legal Somali immigrant and successful student apparently became radicalized and used the latest weapons of choice, a car and a butcher knife.

He did harm to 11 innocent people before a young campus policeman was forced to shoot and kill him.

The attack created momentum for the Ohio movement to make campus targets a little less soft.

The Ohio Senate will soon debate a bill that would let colleges and universities to decide whether to allow concealed handguns on school property. The schools would be given legal immunity unless school officials acted maliciously.

The bill would also reduce the penalty for carrying an unauthorized concealed handgun on campus from a felony to a minor misdemeanor if the offender produces a concealed-carry permit within 10 days. It would also allow concealed handguns in day-care centers and public areas inside police stations and airports.

Recent moves to allow concealed carry guns on Nebraska campuses failed, but the election of Donald Trump as president could open up a new chapter on the issue.

Carrying a concealed weapon is a decision that can have devastating financial and emotional repercussions. Having a gun around always opens the possibility of an accident or misuse by a child, thief or another unauthorized user.

But not having a weapon around when one is needed to stop an attack on ourselves or other innocent bystanders could produce a lifetime of regret as well.

Let's hope cool heads and logic prevail as lawmakers respond to the latest outrage.

What's your opinion?