If there was one thing gained from the Virginia Tech tragedy, it was heightened awareness of college campus security problems. In response, universities across the country increased security personnel and developed elaborate uniformed response plans. Administrations created student alert systems, and many states responded with stricter gun laws -- all with the hope of preventing a future tragedy.

Northern Illinois University was no exception to the national trend. Shortly after the shootings at Virginia Tech, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich created a statewide campus security task force. NIU developed an emergency notification system and a uniformed response plan. They were even given a chance to practice and revise the plan in the wake of racial death threats.

However, all this planning and nearly perfect execution did not prevent five fatalities and 18 wounded students.

On Feb. 14, Steven Kazmierczak entered a large auditorium-style lecture hall at NIU, stood on the front stage of the classroom and opened fire. The first body to fall was the professor 's. Kazmierczak then turned and fired into the crowd of 150 students with a shotgun and three handguns. He continued down the aisle, reloading when necessary, and then finally turned the gun on himself.

The emergency notification system worked flawlessly and execution of the response plan was nearly perfect. There was "unparalleled cooperation " between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Many credit the emergency response plan with saving several of those who were shot on Feb. 14.

But is this the best we can do? Should we consider five fatalities and 18 wounded a successful security response?

One commonality between the Virginia Tech and NIU massacres is they both occurred in "gun-free zones, " a designation that only applies to law-abiding citizens. Although the phrase may elicit a sense of safety and security for most, it takes on a different meaning through the eyes of a criminal. It is a location where no one will be able to shoot back; a guarantee of defenseless targets, like shooting fish in a barrel.

The recognition of "gun-free zones " as an ideal shooting range for mass-murderers has prompted many states to adopt concealed carry legislation, and some universities have decided to allow concealed carry.

Some Wisconsin students think that concealed carry could lead to more gun accidents or that simple classroom disputes could turn into bloodbaths. But other universities are demonstrating how concealed carry on campus plays out in real life.

Eleven U.S. colleges (Colorado State University and all public universities in Utah) allow concealed carry on campus. Since concealed carry began, these campuses have not had a single incident of gun violence, a single gun accident or a single gun theft.

Some students assert that just the idea of classmates carrying a weapon would make them feel less safe. But as the Virginia Tech and NIU tragedies confirmed, there is a difference between feeling safe and actually being safe. Although campus police and security may make us feel safer, something else is needed to help us be safer.

On April 21-25, students on more than 300 college campuses throughout our country will be wearing empty holsters as they go about their daily routines. These students serve as a reminder that we are all defenseless against anyone not obeying the gun-free signs.

These students understand something that students at Colorado State University are able to take for granted -- that all people have an innate right to defend themselves.

Bostwick is a student at UW-Madison and a representative for Students for Concealed Carry on Campus.