Some things never change no matter how old you get. Two weeks ago I was walking down a hall on my college campus. I was minding my own business. I noticed a "gang" member walking down the hall toward me. The gang member was in full gang attire with colors displayed. I was looking at him because he was in front of me, I was not staring.
The gang member approached me and said, "What the BLANK you looking at, punk." I stepped aside and walked away. I said nothing. It was a very disheartening experience. As a veteran of many schoolyard bullies, a flood of memories came back. It was a frightening experience. I thought this kind of thing ended in college.As a conceal and carry permit holder, I did exactly as I was taught. I did not stick around to defend my pride or ego. I avoided the situation, but I was concerned if this gang member had wanted to pursue the situation. I am lucky and glad that he did not. But if he did, my only goal is to return home alive to my wife and daughter.
What makes me all the more concerned is that a minority in Utah wants to ban guns from college campuses. Now this minority wants to take away the means for me to return home safely to my family. The danger on college campuses is still present and real. My inalienable right is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. My life was put in danger by a gang member who couldn't care less about my life. I am not happy living in fear and going way out of my way to avoid a person just to get to class. If the gang member and I were to meet again, I would do the same thing: walk away. I can only hope that the gang member would choose the same. My only request is that I have a fighting chance to return home to my family by leaving the conceal and carry laws alone.
Jason L. Clark
Salt Lake City