This weekend I went to an Auburn football game with some of my family. As we got in the security line, my dad’s cousin looked back and saw some police officers in fatigues with AKs and made a joke about “well, I guess that’s for if all hell breaks loose.” We all kind of laughed it off, and he and my dad started talking about how if something were to happen, they would jump on my sister and me to protect me. They were simply making jokes, but in the back of my head, I was thinking, What If? 

What If all hell were to break loose? We all live in that What If part of our brains. What If someone were to run this red light? What If this plane were to crash? What If someone I love dies? 

But all of these What Ifs stem from what we’ve experienced. We live in a society where elementary schools have practice drills for if an intruder were to attack. We live in a society where we have to go through security to get on an airplane. We live in a society where we have to go through metal detectors to get into professional sporting events.

The unfortunate truth of the matter is that all of these precautions come from something that happened before. We put these precautions into place to prevent something from happening again.

Now. I am a 19-year-old girl living in a college town. I have gone out on weekends and had my share of men try to take advantage of me and grab my hand, waist, or butt. I’ve had the lingering eyes of older men while working a serving job and inappropriate comments made that I cannot defend myself against because “we need the money.” 

But the scariest part isn’t typically when it happens. I usually have a brother or friend protecting me or a cash register between us. The scariest part is when those who stared at me, talked inappropriately, or even grabbed me are sitting across from me in class. The scariest part is when I see them on the concourse, and they say, “Hey, I remember you.” The scariest part is seeing them when you’re rolling Toomer’s Corner with your parents, and they see you and say, “you look good. What are you up to tonight?” 

This semester alone, there have been three separate reported cases of sexual assault on Auburn University’s campus, and only 20% of women ever report sexual assault, so statistically speaking, there is potential that there have been more. Auburn students have no way of protecting themselves. 

Auburn classifies a taser under the “Dangerous Weapons and Firearms Policy” as a dangerous weapon that cannot be carried on campus. Taser is on the same list as fireworks or explosive devices, bow and arrow, brass knuckles, and firearms. A taser and pepper spray are both self-defense weapons and should not be classified in the same category as these other weapons. 

An organization on campus is trying to get Auburn students the opportunity to carry pepper spray/tasers on campus with them. They have been signing and sending a petition and holding rallies. Auburn students want this.

Auburn students having the option to carry pepper spray and/or a taser with them would have a massive effect on the campus.

 Students would feel much safer walking around, knowing they aren’t helpless and have something to protect themselves. 

It would also have a psychological effect on past/future attackers. It’s easy to attack someone when you know they can’t stop you, but when that changes. There’s a chance the attacker would attack someone who can protect themselves. Suddenly the odds aren’t in his favor. 

It would also be impactful for students carrying who do unfortunately get assaulted, and they can protect themselves and get to safety.

Auburn University, I implore you. Let students carry pepper spray/tasers on campus. Do what your students are asking of you. 

From a girl who just wants to feel safe at home