Issue 155

Students' Experiences

08th May 2007

Students who have experienced both Swansea and an American campus share their experiences with us.

Beth

Beth studied in Brigham Young University and says she felt very safe on the campus as there are phones every few 100 yards that is a direct line to campus police. There were always campus police around and she doesn't remember ever seeing police at Swansea, with the only form of security being bouncers at Diva's. However, she never felt unsafe at Swansea and assumed things like shootings only happen in America.

On the gun culture that is evident in the US, she said that America is known for being "trigger happy" but this tragedy has shocked everyone and has made them think about how safe their life is. She knew of people in America who had possession of a gun but they used them for hunting purposes only.

She said that it was unfortunate how this is not the first time something like this has happened, and especially with this being the second case in a few months. She believes that limitations alone on guns will not prevent situations like this happening as if people are desperate enough to want to kill others then they will find some way of doing so.

Antonia

Antonia studied at Northern Arizona University and actually felt very safe as there were regular patrols and alarms around campus. The campus was very well lit and she said she felt a lot safe walking around campus there than she does in here as simple things such as lighting and patrols would make students feel safer around campus in the night.

On the shootings, she said she thinks that people don't tend to associate events like this with universities. Although she thinks that campus life is completely different in America to Swansea, she could not imagine anything like this happening in either country.

She was shocked to see shopping malls filled with knives and guns so readily accessible to buy and Americans was surprised by her reaction. She remembers how violent scenes on TV were strictly monitored with tight watershed regulations and how this seemed ironic given how readily accessible weapons are. She thinks all countries should have tougher gun control laws, but that it is a big problem in America as so many people own and use guns that it would take a lot of time and money for things to change.

Gareth

Gareth studied in Louisianna State University and said that he felt equally safe there as he does here. He never saw a gun on campus but knew of people who owned guns and was shown one a few times.

"Everyone seems to own a gun, and not small guns," he said, "it just seems to be accepted as it is the culture which Americans have grown up with." He personally believes that the gun culture is not a satisfactory situation as it is so easy for someone to walk into a supermarket and buy a gun.

He felt the shootings were "going to happen and it will happen again, unless it's banned. However they will never do it because the culture is too strong and each American seems to have a positive view of guns and the gun culture." He said firing a gun is as easy as 1,2,3; "Simply boom boom boom." Having held a gun himself and shot a target, he commented on how scary it is as it gives you power.

He admits the gun culture never bothered him when he was there, but looking back he realises how easy it could have happened at any time. He wasn't surprised when it happened as if you live in a country where you have guns then this type of thing will happen.

Anna

Anna was at the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she felt very safe as they had an 'Honor Code' which everyone stuck to. They had 'blue lights' on campus so if you felt unsafe, you could press a button near you and speak to the campus police, who would come and get you if needed.

She can't really imagine anything like that happening here but believes anything is possible and you can't really predict things like that.

She admits the gun culture is exceptional in the states and there is nothing like that here. "It is something which is in their constitution and however much it is discussed, it is likely to remain unchanged." She thinks that people here don't understand the US' right to bear arms.

She doesn't think this event will change the use or limit the use of guns significantly as, "gun culture in the states is a significant factor in life and they're not going to give it up easily."

To have your say on this topic, head over to our World News blog and leave us a comment.

Kimberley Davies