11 U.S. colleges and universities have already instigated concealed carry measures. (Screenshot by Aaron Liu)

But across the nation, students are disillusioned with their universities’ ability to protect them. And they want the initiative to defend themselves—with their own concealed weapons.

Students for Concealed Carry advocates for college students—21 or older—to protect themselves with legal concealed guns. The grassroots organization has more than 40,000 supporters, including college students.

David Burnett, director of PR, joined the organization soon after the 2007 Virginia Tech Massacre.

“Everyone is responsible for their own safety,” Burnett said. “The only person to protect you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is you.”

Through state legislation, David Burnett plans to keep universities from exceeding their authority of banning concealed weapons.

“There is already a procedure in place to carry a concealed weapon,” Burnett said. “We want off campus standards to apply on campus, as well.”

In the case of private universities like USC, Burnett believes negotiation with school administrators is more affective than state legislation.

“It (Students for Concealed Carry) strongly supports the right of private property owners,” the website reads. “…therefore…concealed carry at private colleges must be handled with school administrators, rather than through state legislation.”

Burnett said that the 11 U.S. colleges and universities that have already instigated concealed carry measures do not have increased violence.

In April, college students will wear empty gun holsters to represent their defenselessness.

International students at USC are particularly opposed to the concealed carry weapons.

Freddie Archer, a USC freshman from London, thinks that firearms are outdated.

“You would never know when someone was going to lose it,” Archer said. “I don’t think it is part of modern government. It wouldn’t make for an environment where students can learn and keep relaxed.”

Asher Genoot, a freshman from Holland, is afraid of the consequences of a drunken brawl that would normally be resolved through fists.

“College students consume a lot of alcohol,” Genoot said. “Fights and brawls could get out of hand really fast.”

Sophia Sodhi, a freshman from Minnesota, disagrees. She sees concealed weapons as essential for self-defense—especially in the case of the Halloween shooting.

“If someone had shot him in the leg, there wouldn’t have been the hysteria of a shooter on the loose,” Sodhi said.

Gerilynn Eireman, a junior, says that students should only be allowed to carry unloaded weapons. And a background check should be required to check for mental health issues or a history of violence

Jimin Shin, from China, thinks that no weapons should be allowed.

“I don’t think violence against violence works,” Shin said. “It makes you more likely to be attacked. And there is DPS in that case.”

Reach reporter Aaron Hagstrom here.