School shootings have significantly altered American history over the past two decades. From 1997 to 2007, there were more than 40 school shootings, leaving more than 70 dead and many injured. School shootings have increased dramatically over the past 20 years. There is no limit on the age of the child or the number of people he can kill or injure. In Mount Morris Township, Michigan, on February 29, 2000, a 6-year-old boy shot and killed another 6-year-old girl at Buell Elementary School with a .32 caliber pistol. And even though many shootings have occurred at high schools and colleges, having more guns on these campuses would not provide an environment conducive to children growing up. However, on a college campus, the students who attend are no longer children; the age range is 17 to mid-twenties. They therefore understand the consequences linked to the use of weapons and have gained in maturity. On April 16, 2007, in Blacksburg, Virginia, there was a shooting rampage by Sung-Hui Cho (23, of Centreville, Virginia) who fired more than 170 rounds, killing 32 victims, before committing suicide at Virginia Tech. campus. Colleges and universities would be a much safer place, for students and faculty, if guns were allowed on campus for self-defense purposes. College campuses are more dangerous than ever due to the last decade; guns have not only been produced in excess, but they are also available and easy to access. According to James Cool (2008), a campus gun advocate, explained why the increase in guns has occurred recently; "Our nation was founded...at the same time that modern firearms were being invented and becoming readily available through industry...... middle of paper ...this is our job, as citizens, to at least be prepared for the attack of criminals and to be able to defend ourselves if necessary In the Virginia Tech shooting, the responding police officers took about three minutes to reach the school, but. about five minutes to break the chains that linked the doors together. Cho fired bullets for about nine minutes, only four, or less, could have happened if a professor or other college staff member. had stopped the aggressive action before the tragedy was over Sometimes the police cannot arrive fast enough to save a life; one thing is certain, we prefer to have it. not needing it, rather than needing it and not having it. People often ask themselves, “Why should I have a gun?” » Well, guns are necessary when seconds count and the police are minutes away.