Fliers promote gun protection
By: Christa Gable

10/04/02
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With the threat of the campus-area rapist still remaining, campus
bulletins are full of fliers containing safety tips for students.

One flier, posted by an organization called FreeOhio, Defiant Defenders
of Individual Liberty, suggests residents take advantage of their Second
Amendment rights and get a gun.

With the distribution of this flier, FreeOhio said relying on police
protection is not always the best way to avoid becoming a victim of rape.

“Firearms are the great equalizer,” said Matthew Gaylor, member of
FreeOhio. “Carrying one puts women on equal footing with a man or any
other attacker.”

University Police Chief Ron Michalec said the department is not only
unhappy with the content of the fliers, but also with its format.

“We are not happy that they are using the same format as our crime
alerts,” said Michalec. “It sends mixed messages; they are using the
university to promote their own agenda.”

He also said the university has a strict rule prohibiting the possession
of firearms on campus, and that residents should rely on the police for
protection.

“I am not in favor of people walking around with a concealed weapon,”
Michalec said. “The police are here to protect. That is what people
should rely on.”

Gaylor said whistles and other devices have proven to be ineffective in
instances of rape and that a gun could be more intimidating to a
predator.

“I understand the opposition. On the other hand, there is a rapist, and
the police haven’t been able to catch the guy,” Gaylor said.

Many campus-area residents have become more cautious by taking
self-defense classes and carrying pepper spray or whistles. Others may
have invested in stun guns, but the idea of carrying a firearm has
created some mixed views among students.

“The idea of having a gun seems absurd,” said Lisa Szuter, a junior in
education. “What if the rapist gets a hold of your gun? He could end up
shooting you. I think carrying pepper spray is a better solution than
carrying a device as potentially deadly as a gun.”

Residents interested in purchasing a firearm must be 18 years old to buy
a shotgun and 21 to purchase a pistol, said Dennis Walker, a firearms
instructor and secretary for the People’s Rights Organization of
Columbus, which offers firearm training and classes on safety awareness.
Although Walker recommends the use of firearms, he explains that this
type of weapon is not for everybody.

“This is a good form of protection for those who aren’t afraid to use
it,” said Walker. “You must be willing to use the firearm. If you
aren’t, get pepper spray.”

FreeOhio has distributed nearly 1000 fliers throughout the campus area.
University Police have been instructed to take them down if noticed, and
to continue urging other means of protection. The organization plans to
continue distributing the fliers door to door for the next few weeks, or
until the campus rapist is caught.
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Story Source: The Lantern