Republican U.S. Senate challenger Jeff Beatty denied Wednesday night accusations that he supports students carrying guns on campus.

[img_assist|nid=168|title=Jeff Beatty (R-Harwich)|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=99|height=180]The Brady Campaign, a gun control group, endorsed U.S. Sen. John Kerry on Wednesday and highlighted Beatty's signing a petition in April that was circulated by a group that supports students being able to carry firearms on campus to defend themselves in the event of another Virginia Tech-like tragedy.

In a statement, Beatty noted that it is difficult to say where an adult's right to bear arms enumerated in the Constitution should be infringed upon.  But, he said, he opposes allowing students to carry guns.

"While, I find it difficult to find geographic borders that can prohibit any rights granted by the Constitution (this includes the First and Second Amendments), I do not encourage students to carry firearms on campus. Nor do I carry a firearm myself," Beatty said.

Beatty, a former Army Delta Force member and counterterrorism consultant, emphasized the importance of creating a secure environment on college campuses.

"What I DO support, along with these students, is that they feel safe when they walk through their universities," he said. "And what I DO decry are leaders who are not creating an environment that makes students feel safe while getting their education -- especially after Columbine, Virginia Tech and all the other tragedies that have happened in our schools."

The Harwich Republican also leveled new charges at Kerry.

"My questions for John Kerry are these," Beatty said. "When was the last time you visited Framingham State to listen to these students legitimate fears about violence on their campus? And are you ashamed to [use] Mr. Brady's name and his wife's noble effort as a prop to forward your own political ambitions?"