It was a brief and benign moment that never posed any threat, but the terrified gasp from the audience had nonetheless illustrated the increasing fear that has taken hold of the country today — that violent attacks are imminent and just around the corner.
GLASSBORO -- It was a brief, innocuous moment that never posed any threat, but the terrified gasp from the audience had nonetheless illustrated the increasing fear taking hold of the country today -- that violent attacks are imminent and just around the corner.
A small group of about 30 people gathered at Rowan University on Wednesday night to hear a debate on whether college campuses should be gun free.
Six panelists gathered at Rowan University on Wednesday night, Dec. 16, 2015 to debate the issue of whether college campuses should be gun free. Pictured left, Kevin Dixon, member of the National Rifle Association, Cynthia Liccardo, a former assistant district prosecutor in Mercer County, and Ayana Lyons, public relations director of students for concealed carry -- all of whom were against banning guns on college campuses. Hosted by student organization R U Safe? in an auditorium at Bozorth Hall, the debate featured six panelists -- three to each side of the issue -- made up of law enforcement and public safety officials, a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and student organization leaders.
When it came time to take questions from the audience, a man in the back row stood and announced that he was a gun owner who held a concealed-carry permit. Then the man, while slightly lifting up his shirt, lightheartedly said, "Obviously, I don't have it on me."
More than a dozen members of the audience gasped in a brief moment of panic.
"Oh my God," said a young woman, who took a petrified breath along with others in the crowd. It took her a few minutes to regain composure. Her friend sitting next to her was also startled.
Within a second, however, it became obvious the man was of no threat and the gasps quickly shifted to chuckles of relief and bewilderment.
The young woman, Morgan Litzas, a 21-year-old senior at Rowan, didn't know why she reacted with that level of fear, but for a split second, she thought the man might pull a gun from under his shirt.
The reaction from the audience was indicative of a potential issue facing the country today -- society being driven to a constant state of fear from the perception that mass violence is becoming a regular occurrence that cannot be thwarted.
The three panelists for allowing guns on college campuses argued that it is strict gun laws causing the perception that attacks are irrepressible.
"I think it would deter (assailants) knowing that there were ... armed faculty members, and if students have permits to carry, I think it would absolutely deter (incidents)," said pro-gun rights panelist Cynthia Liccardo, a former assistant district prosecutor in Mercer County who now works as an attorney in Trenton.
Sitting next to Liccardo was Kevin Dixon, a member of the NRA and owner of an engineering firm in Galloway Township, who also said fewer guns are not the answer and that strict laws are causing more harm than good. Dixon said he also supports legalizing more high-powered weapons currently banned, and when asked by the moderator if that included weapons like rocket launchers, Dixon did not rule it out.
Citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Dixon added: "I used to say we don't need rocket launchers, but this effort in the Middle East ... they are coming to our shores right now. And I don't think it is a stretch when we see the day when rocket launchers are (on) our streets."
Michael Kantner, head of Rowan University's Department of Public Safety and a former chief of investigations for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, was not for arming students, teachers, or staff other than trained law enforcement personnel.
"I don't feel anyone should be able to carry a gun on campus here," Kantner said. "Students, you're young adults, you're mature, but that is a profound responsibility, and ... I don't know if you would really want to take that on. But that could change in the future."
Dr. Mary Louise E. Kerwin, department chair of psychology at Rowan University, spoke on the mental health side of the issue, stating that she believes students at that age still lack the maturity to carry or possess a gun on campus.
Kerwin and Kantner said the fear is understandable from the mass shooting attacks continuing to take place -- most recently in San Bernardino, California earlier this month where a couple killed 14 people using firearms. In 2007, 33 people were shot and killed at Virginia Tech, and just a couple of months ago, 10 were fatally gunned down at Oregon's Umpqua Community College.
But though it might seem counterintuitive, each also said it was important to maintain perspective and avoid becoming so hyper-cautious that fear turns into a constant state of paranoia that could ultimately lead to health implications.
Keeping young minds calm, or at least as calm as possible in the wake of such attacks, is a lesson Kantner also believes professors and teachers should discuss in the classroom, in addition to public safety awareness.
"It just like what I tell my kids," Kantner said after the debate, "you have to be aware (of) what's going on in today's world. But don't be paranoid."
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
