Maquella Chacon

Staff Writer

Open carry on college campuses causes fear in some students as it becomes more popular throughout the country.

The commonality of mass shootings is rising and students are becoming more vocal with their real fears about on campus weapons while attending college. In addition to violence and other crimes that could possibly happen on campus, students have many other real fears that can make daily life stressful.

“My biggest fear is just being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Junior Jordynn Shaw. “Even now I come across people on campus who make me uncomfortable, I just fear being caught in a situation where I fear for my life, at a place [campus] that no one should ever fear for their lives.”

At a college with 12,387 students, there can be lots of strangers and unfamiliar people. Trusting peers can be difficult with the possibility that something could go wrong.

“Walking around alone at night while on campus can be scary,” said Sophomore Bree Hobson, a supporter of open carry on campus. “It’s dark and literally anything could happen, like mugging or rape. Walking alone at night wouldn’t be as scary if I knew I was safe because I had my gun.”

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, college women ages 18-24 are three times more likely to be raped or assaulted on campus in comparison to those not on a campus. The fear of being attacked is real and common due to its frequency.

“I’m afraid of failing my classes and not graduating on time, or getting hate-crimed if I come to school with pride outfits,” said Junior Jett Smith.

The stress of passing classes to graduate on time weighs heavily in the minds of most students and causes anxiety. The two main fears of students are their academic performance and their safety while on campus. Though ISU may seem like a safe university, the long heard horror stories and stereotypes haunt most students, along with small characteristics that make the area seem frightening and dangerous late at night.

“I honestly feel like we have a safe campus, I don’t feel unsafe until I’m alone,” said Sophomore Kathryn McCabe. “You can feel so alone… like nobody’s around to help you if something were to happen.”

Even though there are thousands of strangers around, some students feel uncertain if they can rely on them to help in a dire situation. Feeling alone in the crowd causes a feeling of being unsafe.

“I walk home at night. There are parts of campus that aren’t really well lit, and that makes me nervous because I can’t see what’s going on,” said Senior Kathryn Wilson. “How long would it take me to get somewhere where someone could help me? It’s not like there are lit up call boxes posted where you can call security, and there should be.”

The darkness can make a simple walk seem like a dangerous feat and can aide to other fears of being mugged or raped on campus. The dark can even make someone’s own room feel unsafe.

“My biggest fear is someone breaking into my room in the middle of the night, or getting trapped in the building during a fire,” said Sophomore Kaylee Cooper.

Rational fears take on a whole new level when it comes to college students, the stress of the courses themselves met with the anxieties about staying safe are relatable and common, but scary nonetheless.