UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY – A group of Penn State students is protesting not being allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus. The group called Students for Concealed Carry on Campus will wear empty holsters, symbolizing the guns they are not allowed to have on university grounds.

SCCC’s protest organizer says people who have concealed weapons permits are allowed to carry their weapon virtually anywhere, except on a college campus. He thinks that is unfair.

“If these people are trustworthy enough to be walking through grocery and shopping malls and office buildings, why not on a college campus as well,” Nathaniel Sheetz said.

Sheetz said more people have expressed a desire to carry their gun on campus since the Virginia Tech massacre in April.


“I think most people can agree that if somebody had a concealed weapon it would have evened the odds,” Sheetz said.

Penn State could have also benefited from letting students, faculty, and staff carry weapons Sheetz said.

“There was a shooting here on the HUB lawn, where somebody had a rifle and was shooting people," Sheetz recalled.

He said both tragedies have one thing in common, help came too late.

“We can’t just be reactive all the time, we have to be able to be ready in case something would happen,” Sheetz said.

Students are not sure concealed weapons will make their campus a safer place.

“I still that this place, Happy Valley, is very safe and I don't think that students should have to carry weapons to feel protected,” Hillary Darville said.

Students were not sure the idea would make anyone feel more comfortable.

“It’s kinda scary knowing that anyone could have a weapon on them at any time, this is supposed to be a place of learning,” Kyle Nottage said.

Sheetz said he altered Penn State to his group’s plans, but has yet to hear back from school administrators. Sheetz is hoping up to 50 people participate in the protest.