Texas Open Carry

Even in Texas, the right to carry a firearm is a touchy subject. House Bill 910 was signed into law on June 3^rd, 2016, and took effect January 1^st, 2016. The bill does not require the holder to obtain a separate license to carry a firearm openly. However, that does not mean an individual can have a firearm in plain view. The firearm must be carried in a shoulder or belt holster.

I agree with TexasFlower that the individual should have the right to choose whether to carry or not, but the law does state guidelines where one can openly carry. A license holder regardless of whether the firearm is holstered does not permit open carry on any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage or other parking area on an institution of higher education, or private institution of higher education.

The second amendment states that the individual posses the right to bear arms. Although, many cases have been brought to the Supreme Court changing the criteria for this right.

No matter what happens in the future, individuals will continue to feel uncomfortable when seeing a firearm in public and many will continue to fight for the right to defend themselves, when, and if the time comes. As the individual has the right to posses a firearm, an individual should have the right to deny an individual of entering their establishment.

The best way to prevent the worst from happening is to have addition training, which is not, required in House Bill 910. Only those with extensive training should be granted the right of open carry.

We Need a Lower Number for Top 10% Rule

As a college student that is planning to transfer into a major four-year university, I want to know my chances at enrollment before applying. My goal is to attend UT-Austin, but with the Top Ten Percent Rule in affect, my acceptance rate is looking fairly low. Even with a 4.0 GPA, it is highly probable that I will not be accepted because of the Top Ten Rule.

Originally, the law was enacted in 1997 to help Texas public colleges create a more diverse student body. Meaning the minority schools would receive equal representation. Although recent studies have shown that the Top Ten Rule has increased minority population on campuses, the student population doesn’t match the demographics of Texas. The law has good intentions, but for somebody like me, the consequences are damaging to my academic endeavors.

Next fall, 75 percent of the incoming students will be students admitted by the Top Ten Rule. That leaves a small 25 percent for everyone else. UT has recently altered the rule, now only admitting the top 7 percent but still, the opportunity for admission for those not in the top 7 percent are still minimal.

In one case, a student was denied admission at UT but was accepted to Stanford, which is college that many would suggest is harder to enroll at. How is that possible? This happened because UT had already met its cap of students admitted by the law. If a student attends a highly competitive high school but falls in the top 11 percent, and another student is in the top 10 percent at a less competitive school, the student in the top ten will be accepted. Not fair if you ask me.

I propose that the number be lowered. If this law only admitted the top 5 percent we would still see equal representation of the minority schools and a higher acceptance rate for students looking to transfer from a community college.

           
           There is no doubt that a student with exceptional high school credentials should be granted superior benefits. However, there are students that equally or more qualified, that are not being accepted ever since the Top Ten Percent Rule was enacted.