Michael Neiduski, Marquette University campus leader of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, says the nationwide group was founded after what he refers to as "4/16" the day of the Virginia Tech massacre. He says the organization believes in going through the proper legal channels in obtaining a concealed carry permit to carry a firearm. He's calling for the "right" for students to exercise their same license on college campuses.
The lifelong hunter says both his father and grandfather carried concealed weapons back home in Massachusetts. The Marquette Senior says his interest in the issue actually preceded the recent campus massacres, when he moved closer to becoming 21, the age many other states require for a conceal permit.
"I started researching it and I was very disappointed that of the places I choose to come to college, I chose one of two states that don't allow concealed carry," says Neiduski.
He also doesn't feel Marquette is the "safest campus" and cites recent incidents of robberies in and around the Milwaukee university.
Students for Concealed Carry on Campus announced last week its membership roster is up to 22,000 people.
