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June 22nd, 2010
Introducing Summer Intern Christa Brashier
Christa Brashier is a rising junior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), where she majors in K-6 Education. Christa is also the Pennsylvania state coordinator for Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC). While trying to form an SCCC chapter at CCAC, Christa faced an egregious act of censorship that became a top FIRE case. On why she decided to intern at FIRE, Christa writes:
On the Pennsylvania application for a license to carry firearms, where you are asked to provide a reason for your application, I selected "self-defense"—not hunting, gun-collecting, employment, target shooting, or the dubious "other." I have met all of the requirements including the requisite training, background check, references, psychological and physical health. But my college has a weapons policy which prohibits carrying, even with a license.
At the time I was under the impression that "the Academy" was an institution specifically designed for the sake of discussion, debate, and the collision of ideas in such a way that everyone leaves with a more profound understanding of personal beliefs, if not actual truths. In the face of current events it seemed particularly pressing that we "figure this ...