After Shootings, Voters Assess Firearm Issues
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The Miami Student Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826 VOLUME 140 NO. 03 TUESdaY, AUGUST 28, 2012 MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO TODAY IN MIAMI HISTORY In 1950, The Miami Student reported that WMUB, Miami’s student-run FM radio station had received its license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The station, frequency 88.1, was one of the first collegiate FM stations in the area. It broadcast 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 7 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. After shootings, voters assess firearm issues BY BRETT MILAM election for college students. ONLINE Editor “Jobs are the number one issue Student on the Street because the large majority of us Gun rights and gun control are will be looking for jobs right after Should the United States reassess gun policies? sure to be factored into the debate graduating from Miami Univer- between Republican presidential sity,” Kretz said. “I would say to nominee Mitt Romney and Presi- my fellow Miamians that if now is “Gun control is a very tricky topic because statistically, areas which dent Barack Obama as the Novem- not the ‘right time’ to discuss this have higher rate of gun ownership have a statistically lower rate ber election nears, especially in issue, then when?” of crime. However, all illegal guns must at one point start as legally the wake of the Colorado theater, According to the Institute for owned guns so the more guns on the street, the more illegal guns Wisconsin Sikh temple and most Policy Research at the University you will have.” recent New York City shootings. of Cincinnati, over 51 percent of College Democrats President Ohio voters still regard economic Laura Kretz said the shootings considerations as the most impor- Evan Crowell might have been preventable if tant issue in the 2012 election. Senior there were stricter background Notwithstanding, the gun con- checks for gun owners. trol debate is certainly relevant “I think it should [be reassessed] because there is no point to having “These aren’t accidents,” Kretz to the parents of incoming Miami an assault rifle or weapon inside of a major city. It makes sense said. “These are preventable. The University first years, according to when you are outside hunting or in the wilderness or something, issue is about enforcement.” Miami University Police Depart- but if I’m living in a city block why do I need to have a gun? What Kretz said she would like to see ment (MUPD) Police Chief John purpose does it serve?” President Obama do more on this McCandless. issue, if he is re-elected. At Miami University’s orienta- However, both candidates have tion, McCandless was asked by Peter Dougherty shied away from making any parents about the preparedness of Senior demonstrative declarations on the MUPD in the event of an ac- the issue. tive shooter on campus. According “There are areas that are not safe I feel like you should be able to In contrast, President of College to McCandless, parents ask about carry a gun if you go through the means to get yourself certified, Republicans Baylor Myers said active shooters in only one or two then you are going to use it appropriately.” gun control laws would restrict of the 14 or 15 orientation sessions self-protection. each year. “As outlined in the second McCandless said questions amendment of our Constitution, about active shooters become we have the right to bear arms and more popular after highly publi- Julia Prus the College Republicans believe cized shootings such as the Vir- First year that right is a necessity for self- ginia Tech shooting. protection,” Myers said. “We’re as prepared as you can “Gun laws should be stricter because obviously guns are getting into To College Republicans, gun be in those situations,” McCand- the hands of the wrong people. Even if the gun laws were stricter, laws are ineffective. less said. people can still get things that obviously are illegal so I don’t how “Time and experience has The MUPD Web site has a much a difference it will make because if somebody wants a gun shown that gun laws are obsolete link under Campus Safety about they can probably get it, but anything that can keep us safer.” — criminals will always have ac- what to do, as a student or mem- cess, but our society must empow- ber of the faculty or staff, in er good citizens in their efforts for the event of an active shooter. Brian Oddo self-protection,” Myers said. That link can be found here: http:// First year Communications Chair of Col- www.units.muohio.edu/psf/po- lege Democrats Eden Thomp- lice/Campus_Safety/ActiveShoot- “I think they’re alright where they’re at even with the shooting in son said there should be gun er.shtml the movie theater, it’s just those certain people need to be watched control laws that focus on the “If someone specifically asks and other than that it’s not that big of a problem.” gun purchaser. about an active shooter then “The focus should be on who we tell them they can go [to the guns are given to,” Thompson said. website],” McCandless said. However, Kretz said she be- lieves gun control is far from GUN CONTROL, Riley Brehm SEE PAGE 8 the most important issue in the First year University, Oxford police force team up Lecture Series begins with Jerry Springer visit KALER HAZEN candidates are considered based on FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT a number of factors including cur- rent events, the diversity of both the The Miami University annual speakers and their topics and Univer- Lecture Series kicks off on Septem- sity lectures from previous years. ber 24 with a lecture from ex-Cincin- Other factors are also given con- nati mayor and television talk show sideration, according to Newberry. personality Jerry Springer. The lec- “We’re also looking at the gender ture series will ultimately bring five mix and the racial mix,” Newberry speakers to campus, each of them said. “We want to make sure we’re with a unique perspective on topics reflecting the diversity goals of the ranging from social media and vot- university and exposing students to ing to international travel. people of all cultures, genders, and Other speakers include NPR ra- political views.” dio host and guidebook author Rick Newberry said audience interac- LISA GEHRING PHOTOGRAPHER Steves, business leader and politi- tion is intended during the presenta- The Miami University Police Department and Oxford Police Department have formed a partnership to allow cal consultants Becki Donatelli and tions, and a Q&A session is antici- both police forces wider jurisdiction. Sam Graham-Felsen, Peabody pated at the end of each lecture. Award winner Krista Tippett, and Newberry said student input is distinguished NASA scientist Neil valuable not only in terms of those deGrasse Tyson. sitting on the selection committee, BY ANDREW YDE “This is an effort between the city not the first time the separate de- According to Howard Kleiman, but also in gauging the number of FOR THE MIAMI STUDENT and the university to provide the best partments have come together. Be- professor of mass communication, tickets that need to be sold. possible service to the community,” fore the pact, it was not unusual for Lecture Series speakers are chosen “It’s not all that often we have In an effort to improve both the Spilman said. MUPD and OPD personnel to share by the University Lecture Series to turn away hordes of people”, speed and strength of police respons- Before the new jurisdiction agree- patrol cars on any given day. None- Committee, which consists of both said Newberry. es in the Mile Square area of Oxord, ment, which took nine months to for- theless, OPD maintained sole juris- students and faculty. The series opener, featuring Jerry the Oxford Police Department (OPD) mulate, MUPD personnel were only diction in the Mile Square region. “Oxford, being as isolated as it is, Springer, promises to be of particu- and Miami University Police Depart- allowed to assist off campus with ex- “They no longer have to call,” Sgt. needs to bring in a variety of things lar interest to the communication ment (MUPD), have implemented a plicit request from OPD personnel. Varley said. “Anything they see, they that students can engage with and a department. According to Kleiman, new mutual jurisdiction agreement. Such requests were usually inspired can act upon, as if each one of them strong lecture series is one of those students on the selection committee According to Lt. Ben Spilman by threat of serious injury or prop- is just another Oxford officer.” things,” Kleiman said. admired Springer’s breadth of expe- spokesman for the MUPD, this new erty damage off campus, according Student body president John Ste- According to Patricia Newberry, rience and diversity of past occupa- agreement will allow MUPD offi- to Spilman. fanski said he was intrigued by the senior lecturer and coordinator of tions, and expect an interesting pre- cers to assist with off-campus issues, “This is innovative as far as co- conjunction of administrative ef- special events and internships, the sentation on human manipulation. no matter their severity, both uptown operation between separate police forts composing the new jurisdiction Lecture Series Committee takes According to Newberry, when and elsewhere in the Mile Square departments,” Spilman said. agreement. Stefanski and Associated most of the preceding academic year negotiating with speakers, the Lec- region of Oxford bounded by Patter- According to Sgt. Jon Varley, a to thoroughly consider all of the pos- son Avenue, Locust Street, Chestnut 17-year veteran for the OPD, this POLICE, sible lecture candidates and come up LECTURE, SEE PAGE 8 SEE PAGE 8 Street and High Street.