EDITORIAL: A Chance to Protect

The University should provideThe University should provideUniversity Police officers withThe University should provideUniversity Police officers withsemiautomatic weapons.The University should provideUniversity Police officers withsemiautomatic weapons._______________________________ For far too long University Police officers have tried to protect campus and themselves with .38-caliber revolvers, while criminals threaten the University community with blazing automatic weapons. The difference in firepower between law enforcement and law violators not only places the University community at risk, but also those who work to protect campus. It is time for the University to level the playing field. Providing University Police officers with these weapons will allow them to defend themselves and campus much more adequately and will send the message that the University is prepared to stamp out crime any way it can. These weapons will not only boost police morale, but will allow officers to utilize the training that they have already had with these weapons. We hope Seamon will follow the lead of other urban schools and give his officers semiautomatic weapons so that University Police will have the necessary resources to protect campus.