Austin (WBAP/KLIF News) – Texas’ law that allows licensed gun owners to carry their weapons on public college campuses has taken effect, and at the University of Texas at Austin, protestors are calling the law “absurd.”
Demonstrators handed out thousands of sex toys Wednesday, saying the university’s rules now allow a loaded gun in classrooms, but students could be punished for carrying a sex toy.
“We’re fighting absurdity with absurdity,” says organizer Rosie Zander.
Three professors sued over the law. This week, a judge rejected their request to block campus carry from taking effect while their case plays out.
At UT Austin, Zander says the demonstration succeeded in starting a conversation with other students.
“We just want the rhetoric to be started about why there are guns on campus. What does it achieve?” she says. “We feel that it hurts free speech.”
At the demonstration, not every student agreed. Forrest Sullivan says police would need an average of two minutes to respond to an active shooter in a classroom.
“Two minutes is a long time to die,” he says. “I would much prefer if my neighbor taking his exam, pulled out his concealed carry and defends his class.”
Schools can establish “gun free zones,” but they cannot ban guns in classrooms or dormitories.
Private schools can opt out of the law. Just one of Texas’ 38 private schools has opted in, Abmerton University.
(Copyright 2016 WBAP/KLIF News. All rights reserved)
