RSO offers research on gun control

By: Brittni Garcia/ Campus Editor

Posted: 9/5/08

The Eastern Illinois Council on American Policy organization was motivated after two school shootings in the past year.

The registered student organization was so motivated that the group put together a policy review on gun control, which will be sent to Springfield for review by Illinois politicians.

John Hamilton, president and co-founder of EICAP, thought this idea would bring more than discussion to Eastern students.

"EICAP is a student think tank," Hamilton said. "It is a chance for students to take the RSO experience a little bit higher."

Last fall, a subcommittee from EICAP implemented an idea to create a review policy and send it to Springfield to educate students on gun control laws and issues society faces today.

"With the recent tragedy of NIU and V-Tech earlier, we think it is important for students to be informed of all the consequences of the issue and have access to information and sources related to this issue," Hamilton said.

Hamilton said the review was a good project and good experience for undergraduates because it functioned kind of like a class.

Steve Medel, a sophomore physical education major, said the project is a good idea because people need to know the information, especially because of the shootings this past year.

"Yes, I believe the policy is important, but I think students who are only interested in it will read it," Medel said.

Hamilton assigned the group to research gun control laws and issues students face today. The members were required to independently research and write their findings.

"It's not perfect, by any means; there are flaws that I will still tweak until we send it off to Springfield," Hamilton said.

EICAP plans to have the completed version sent to Springfield by October.

Ryan Linsley, member and secretary of EICAP, said people fear that if citizens lose one freedom, more loses could follow.

"I wish we did not need guns to feel safe, but maybe some people do and that right has to be respected whether you believe it or not," Linsley said.

Hamilton co-founded EICAP last year after he read an article stating students are exploited for their energy and not their ideas.

Hamilton said college students are very useful for campaigning for political parties, but are never asked for their own ideas.

"We have resources, and we have ideas," Hamilton said.

EICAP has done other projects such as designing a fundraising program for low-income families.

The group's plans for the year include completing the policy review and forming a council within EICAP, called Council on Global Issues.

"This is going to be a part of our lives for a long time," Hamilton said. "Maybe it's right. Maybe it's wrong, but people need to be informed."

Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarica@eiu.edu.