Punished for Self-Defense?

I came across a story this weekend that I am still puzzled with and not completely sure where I stand with my opinion as to how it should be handled. Two students, Erik Fagan and Dan McIntosh, at Gonzaga University were in relaxing in their off-campus apartment when someone knocked at their door. Fagan answered the door and saw John Taylor, a convicted felon. He demanded money and turned down Fagan’s offer for food and a blanket. Fagan called to McIntosh who came to the door with his gun and got Taylor to leave the property. The two then called the police and told them what happened.

I would say that the two of them handled this situation in a fantastic way. Even though the man demanded money, they still kindly offered him food and warmth. They didn’t really have any other choice than to drive him off with the gun.

Hours later, the police came to the apartment and came in to confiscate the gun that belonged to McIntosh. He did have a concealed weapons permit, but the Gonzaga student handbook states that students may not have guns on university owned property. The two students now face discipline from the school, which could possibly include expulsion.

Obviously there are two sides to this argument. People defending the students will say that the gun saved their lives, and they shouldn’t be in trouble for self defense. The other side says that rules are rules and if broken, there has to be punishment handed out.

Here is my thinking. The students were not in the wrong to defend themselves. They were, however, in the wrong to break the school’s gun policy. I think a good way to handle the situation would be to discipline the students, but not expel them. Then, I think the school should re-evaluate their current rules on guns on university property. Some good ways they could adjust their rules could be to state in the handbook that if you have a gun on school property, you must be licensed (a bit obvious, but I think a necessary addition). Also, if they are aiming to keep their campus safe, limit gun possession to only off campus residencies. I think that would be the best route to take because it keeps the main student population gun free, but still allows the people who would actually need a gun to have one.

Read more about this story and watch a video about it here

Feel free to comment below with your opinion