Some UW Students Carrying Weapons In Response To Crimes

Some University of Washington students who said they are frightened by the frequent violence in the area are carrying concealed weapons.

University of Washington police reported 10 assaults and robberies in the University District in the last two months.

The most recent incident was a strong-arm robbery on the popular street known as "The Ave" last Sunday.

Though police found the alleged robber, some students said they have been scared into arming themselves.

Student Justin Bryant has the concealed weapons permit that allows him to carry a gun. Bryant said it makes him feel safer when he walks near the University of Washington.

"I feel like students who are coming from campus are wearing a target on their backs. Anybody knows that they don’t have a concealed weapon (because) they just walked off campus. They're less likely to be able to defend themselves," said Bryant.

Guns are not allowed on any college campus in the state.

Last year, Bryant's fellow UW College Republicans held a rally to drum up support to get the ban on guns at the school lifted.

"It's not just about what occurs on the university campus. It's when students are going to and from the campus late at night and staying in the library until 1 or 2 a.m. Who's going to be there to protect them when they're walking home?" said Bryant.

UW Deputy Police Chief Ray Wittmire said he understands students' fears as campus police are putting out notices of assaults, but said more guns are not the answer.

"In the last couple of weeks here, some of the notices that we put out have been about catching some of these suspects. So we're catching them," said Wittmire.

Student Amy Budwill said she thought carrying a gun was overkill.

"I'll start carrying pepper spray but I don't think I need a knife or a gun," said Budwill.

The university's newspaper, the Daily, said some students admitted to carrying their weapons on campus.

Anyone caught carrying a weapon on campus could be expelled.