Volume 126 Issue 50
kansan.com
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
ANSAN
PROTECTION
STUDENT SAFETY
University to choose between concealed carry or heightened security measures
EMMA LEGAULT
elegault@kansan.com
Students may be able to carry concealed weapons on campus within four years.
Currently, signs on campus buildings don't allow anyone to enter with a weapon. However, a Kansas law that passed earlier this year requires the University to make a choice — add security such as security guards or checkpoints to public campus buildings or allow students and faculty to carry concealed weapons.
students to conceal carry, it must implement security checkpoints on campus, which could cost thousands of dollars.
Yesterday, the Kansas chapter of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) sponsored an "Empty Holster" project on campus to raise awareness about concealed carry and open carry laws in Kansas. At a town hall meeting last night, Kansas Senator Greg Smith, Kansas Libertarian Party State Director Al Terwelp and Mark Rinke of Kansas City Preppers spoke and answered questions about the current laws in Kansas, the status of proposed changes and how they might affect the University.
Will Stewart-Starks, the Kansas State Chair for YAL, used TSA checkpoints as an example of why that option might not be appealing to students. He also explained that there are too many points of entry to campus where people could carry a weapon through.
If the University doesn't allow
"We're dealing with fear — let's deal with fact."
GREG SMITH Kansas senator
Will Stewart-Starks (right). Kansas State Chair for Young Americans for Liberty, advocated concealed carry on campus over security guards. Changes to campus security policies must be made within the next four years.
"They can set up security, but it's not going to stop firearms from entering the campus," Stewart-Starks said. "It's an impossible task."
process of getting a license can take from 45 to 60 days. In Lawrence, concealed carry is allowed off campus in public buildings.
Often, constitutional rights are at odds with campus policies, Starks-Stewart said.
To get a concealed carry license in Kansas, a person who is at least 21 years old must submit an application, pay a fee and go through background checks and a certified training program. The
"If someone violates a first amendment law on a campus, then you have a first amendment lawsuit on your hands," Stewart-Starks said. "Why is there a double standard for the second amendment?"
KELSFY WFAVFR/KANSAN
The stigma toward concealed carry is that it increases violence. Smith and Terwelp said there have been no crimes in Kansas involving licensed concealed carry, which may come as a surprise to some.
"We're dealing with fear — let's deal with fact," Smith said. "Fear stares a lot of good legislature."
"We talked to quite a few students and most of them actually support it. I was surprised, actually," said Kendon Brawner, event coordinator for YAL. "When you think of Lawrence and Douglas
The goal of the "Empty Holster" project was to start dialogue about the topic and its solutions.
Stewart-Starks said, it's not a partisan issue on campus.
"It's trading liberties for security," he said. "I think some students realize that's important to them."
TECHNOLOGY
Smartphones cause decline in digital camera sales
MADDIE FARBER
mfarber@kansan.com
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRENT BURFORD/KANSAN
As people begin to value sharing their images in fast, convenient ways, the era of digital cameras is on the verge of extinction. Digital cameras could completely disappear within the next ten years. Look in your pocket, purse, backpack, or the palm of your hand. According to the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life project, 80 percent of adults age 18-34 own smartphones. Smartphones are replacing the need for separate cameras.
Smartphones are replacing the need for digital cameras. Camera sales are down 36 percent this year, in large part due to the fact that consumers are increasingly relying on smartphones to take photos.
Consumer digital camera sales are down 36 percent this year alone. Research from EOSHD. com says smartphones are the biggest cause for the decline. Daniel Coburn, an assistant photo media professor at the University, said advanced technology is going to be the death of digital single-lens reflexes (DSLRs).
"In my opinion, non-professional grade cameras will ultimately disappear and be replaced with mirrorless digital cameras," said Coburn.
Coburn explained that since so
many amateur photographers are documenting their daily lives with their phones, new technology has been created to convert smartphones into more developed devices.
Becca Levine, a sophomore from St. Louis, is one of many typical smartphone users who never has to worry about not being able to
"All I need is something to be able to capture moments with my friends and family, and editing photos into collages is much easier on my phone," Levine said.
The high quality of photos taken on smartphones is causing even more problems for digital camera
capture a picturesque moment when out with her friends.
producers such as Sony, Nikon and Canon. With a 10 to 15 percent decline in DSLR shipments around the world, studies from the market intelligence firm International Data Corporation predict that Nikon will be out of business within the next five years. As alarming as this may seem, consumers are becoming more inclined to snap a photo with their smartphones opposed to lugging around a bulky second device.
"I have a really nice Samsung digital camera and I never use it. Even when I went abroad, I usually used my phone because it was easier to carry with me," said Leah Swartz, a senior from Santa Monica, Calif.
"Phone cameras are becoming better and better, and I'd rather spend money on a really nice in-phone application for photos than buy a camera to achieve the same recreational result," Benson said. "For the most part, I take photos of my friends and scenery — something I find smartphone cameras to excel at."
Sam Benson, a sophomore from Overland Park, agreed.
Edited by Emma McEthaney
Student senators to host meeting at The Wheel
CAMPUS POLITICS
Two student senators are inviting students to meet with them and discuss important issues regarding the University today. The event
will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
when students who are under 21 can enter the Wagon Wheel, located at 507 W. 14th St.
ckuiper@kansan.com
Plummer
Thomas
Plummer. a
senior from Towanda, and Mitch Rucker, a junior from Burdett, are hosting a meet-and-greet at The Wagon Wheel to get to know their classmates a little better and see what areas the Senate can improve on.
"Some of the best platforms and initiatives come from talking to the students who aren't super involved," Plummer said. "Sometimes they can kind of see through areas that we are blind to with us being so involved in senate."
Plummer has been involved with Student Senate and KUnited for four years, and represents juniors and seniors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He currently serves as vice president of the University Senate as well
as president of the KU Memorial Unions board and previously served as Student Senate Chief of Staff.
Rucker
said. This year, with so many big issues like the coalition resolution, I feel like a lot of people may be curious about those things and want to
"Really, the goal is to see what they want to know," Plummer
talk to someone who has run with KUnited three times, and talk about pros and cons and things of that nature."
Mitch Rucker is in his third year on Student Senate and has not been affiliated with a coalition. He represents the freshman and sophomore classes in the College of Liberal Arts and Science and is also the Chair of the Student Safety Advisory Board.
"I hope this a way to bridge that gap," he said. "There's no such thing as too much student input, and that's who we're here to work for, so the more they get involved and the more they discuss, the better."
Index CLASSIFIEDS 9 CRYPTOQUIPS 5 SPORTS 8
CROSSWORD 5 OPENION 4 SUDOKU 5
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget
Edited by Chas Strobel
To call your mom.
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