As a way of improving civic engagement at Elgin Community College, student government held a “Pie-Partisan” event moderated by Lauren Carr, one of the surviving victims of the Northern Illinois University shooting that occurred on Valentine’s Day in 2008. The event took place on Oct. 11 in room B121. Lots of pies were, in fact, provided.

The discussion centered around current gun policy and how ECC students would shape it to better attend to the needs of today. Lauren Carr also shared her viewpoints on the topic as well as her experience as one of the survivors of the shooting that took place at NIU during her time as a student.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Carr introduced herself to the audience with the same warmness that propelled leaders of the Student Government to invite her on campus.

“After the shooting happened, I just wanted to curl up, cry and die,” Carr said. “However, I had to learn how to get healthier for me.”

Gradually, Carr was able to heal.

“It was through random acts of kindness that allowed me to relearn how to trust other people,” Carr said.

To ease into the conversation, students were handed a short packet that highlighted the requirements needed to obtain a concealed carry license in the state of Illinois. The discussion quickly flared when many of the students present stated that in the packet, there was no explicit section indicating the need for a background check.

“I don’t see where it says that they have to run a background check on you,” one of the students in attendance said.

Following this, the audience was presented with the TEDx video “I Was Almost A School Shooter”. The video was a conversation between Aaron Stark, someone who had almost committed a crime similar to the one committed at NIU, and the people around him who were aware of how deeply troubled he was during this time.

He relayed a message of love, the same kind found in a family, whereby the smallest amount of honest gestures prove to be the greatest amount of care and help.

To bring back the discussion to the student’s side, Carr asked what they would do if they knew someone like Aaron Stark.

“It’s hard to know [at what point] a limit has been reached,” said Kat Graves, one of the many vocal students present.

Still, Graves believes that for progress to be made, a community needs to be in it together.

“It’s hard, but having at least one close person helps,” Graves said.

Varying students agreed with Graves’ remarks, with one saying that at best, “we should take it case-by-case.”

Ismael Cordova, President of the Student Government, then asked the room a question which sparked greater discussion.

“What do you think about arming teachers?” Cordova said.

Many shared the sentiment of not arming teachers, with the central premise of their argument being that teachers should be instructed how to teach and not to shoot.

“No, teachers should not be armed,” Graves said. “That puts them [at] risk, too.”

Another student repeated a teacher’s main role as an educator.

“My American government teacher has a bat under her desk,” the student said. “She says it makes her feel safe.”

The student, however, still believed that a line must be drawn somewhere.

“A gun is a totally different story,” the student said.

Many students believed that being forced to learn how to use a gun might distract from the actual teaching that should occur in the classroom.

“What if the students see it?” Graves said. “What if [the teacher] freaks out?”

The responses resulting from Cordova’s original question continued until the event reached its completion. Carr happily waved goodbye to the exiting students and invited the remaining few to share stories and ask questions outside of the scope of the original discussion.