During an family lunch on Saturday, my sister-in-law told us that she was taking part in her first protest. The protest is a walkout at UT because of some legislature to allow carrying on college campuses. She expressed great concern over the thought of people bringing guns on campus. I can't recall the exact conversation, but she was not very open to the idea of people exercising a constitutional right. She said that only people who are paid to protect the campus should be allowed to bring guns. I responded with, "Well that worked really well at Virginia Tech."
The conversation didn't get much further, and my father-in-law started to go on about how he was glad that I take the steps to protect my family and that Meredith might do the same. Since both of my sisters-in-law and my brother-in-law were present but didn't know that I carried, it got really awkward for me. My wife diverted the conversation; I don't know if the others really understood what was said, but I talked to my FIL later. This was the same guy who told everyone that I asked him for permission to marry his daughter. He's just missing that filter.
But I digress. Has anyone else heard about this walkout? I found a reference to it here:
http://utexascrs.org/news/hey-sg-the-te ... evant-too/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
On April 16th it will be two years since the Virginia Tech shooting. Not a single survivor has said that guns on campus would be a good idea, and the panel charged with investigating the tragedy agreed that colleges should not allow students to carry handguns.
The authors of the bill have consulted the gun experts, but are ignoring the experts on security and on school shootings.
Walk out of class at 11:30am, to show that students believe bringing guns onto campus is not a solution.
Rally on the South Steps of the Capitol at noon, to hear from the experts on safety and security, and to make our voices heard.
Thanks to the following organizations for helping with this event:
UT Student Government
UT Senate of College Councils
UT Graduate Student Assembly
University Democrats
Info is also here:
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/rally-f ... -1.1710938" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This Thursday at 11:30 a.m., you’ll have one of the most legitimate reasons ever to leave class.
UT students will be staging a walkout and gathering on the south steps of the Capitol for a rally at noon to alert the Texas Legislature of the grave mistake it will make if it allows concealed carry on campus.
Students need to show the Legislature how important a concealed-handgun ban is to the people it affects most — us.
Concealed carry on campuses has long been a distant dream of the gun-rights lobby, but it is now in danger of becoming a reality. The Texas House Committee on Public Safety recently voted a bill out of committee that would allow any resident with a concealed handgun license to carry on campus. The bill has 77 co-sponsors, meaning there is a good chance it will pass when it reaches the House. The Texas Senate has already passed a similar bill.
Though many licensed gun carriers are responsible people, a university is a place of action and emotion, and crimes of passion should be of primary concern for law enforcement.
I'm considering whether I should go down there myself. Anyone else interested? We can make it a TexasCHLForum Austin get-together!
-Brent
