Three professors sue UT to keep guns out of their classrooms

[Jusme]

We are so fortunate that the law banning these sex toys in Texas was eliminated in 2008. They are a true danger to the population and I certainly don't want to see them in the hands of immature college students on campus. Who knows what kind of violence they may lead to. Perhaps there needs to be a size restriction.

Have any professors sued to keep them out of their classrooms?

[TexasTornado]

On a related note, (but one that I feel doesn't deserve it's own thread,) the group students against cc, are staging a protest tomorrow at UT Austin. At which, they will be displaying a certain type of lewd object that I'm sure can't be mentioned on this forum. In their minds, openly carrying these objects will somehow demonstrate the "absurdity" [their word] of allowing concealed guns carried to class by LTC holders.

As far as I'm concerned they can take their concept and conceal them up their you know where.

[ELB]

Quotes and commentary. Not feeling particularly charitable to the intentionally obtuse.

Plaintiffs argue that the Campus Carry Policy violates the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment because, to the extent the Policy imposes a penalty on professors at the
University for prohibiting handguns in their classrooms, the Policy is unconstitutionally vague.

The court finds that a person of ordinary intelligence would understand if a professor were to communicate
to her class that individuals licensed to carry handguns may not carry a handgun in her
classroom, such communication would be a misrepresentation of and in contravention to the
Campus Carry Policy.

Only the highly credentialed could misunderstand this. Everyone else gets it.

Further, the University's Handbook of Operating Procedures 5-2420
gives professors, such as Plaintiffs here, notice that disciplinary action may be imposed for
unacceptable conduct, including "violation of policies or rules of the institution or The
University of Texas System."

Yes, professors have to follow the rules too.

Plaintiffs assert that classroom discussion will be "circumscribed by the near-certain
presence of loaded guns" and that their ability to "make [their classrooms] truly a marketplace
for the robust exchange of ideas will be impaired."

So plaintiffs believe there will enough students licensed for carry that there will be at least one in nearly every class room?
AWESOME!

The court has searched the jurisprudence of this country from the ratification of the
Constitution forward and has found no precedent for Plaintiffs' proposition that there is a right of
academic freedom so broad that it allows them such autonomous control of their classrooms
both physically and academically that their concerns override decisions of the legislature and
the governing body of the institution that employs them.

So professors' powers don't supersede constitutions, laws, legislators, courts, nor even their own employers? OMG, psychological counselors to faculty lounges, stat!

The Campus Carry Policy's allowance of the licensed
concealed carrying of handguns in some areas on campus but not others does not violate the
Equal Protection Clause because they are rationally related to the University's legitimate
interests of complying with the Campus Carry Law and promoting safety on campus as
explained in the Report.

"Rationally." Ah, there's where the plaintiffs tripped up.

[Jusme]

Yep rationality and ordinary intelligence, are, I suppose, not a common commodity in UT professors.

[dlh]

The brains of undergrads are filled with mush. If they had taken a logic course they would have known the appeal to ridicule is a logical fallacy.

[NotRPB]

We are so fortunate that the law banning these sex toys in Texas was eliminated in 2008. They are a true danger to the population and I certainly don't want to see them in the hands of immature college students on campus. Who knows what kind of violence they may lead to. Perhaps there needs to be a size restriction.

Have any professors sued to keep them out of their classrooms?

Regarding the GunfreeUT "Protest" tonight
How do we file a freedom of Information request with UT PD to see how many citations are issued for violating Chapter 43 Penal Code
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.43.htm
Sec. 43.21
Sec. 43.22
Sec. 43.23
Sec. 43.24
I bet none are issued.

.@UTAustinPolice How many citations you issuing @ @GunFreeUT rally tonight for violating Ch 43 Penal Code Obscenity? http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.43.htm

[rotor]

We are so fortunate that the law banning these sex toys in Texas was eliminated in 2008. They are a true danger to the population and I certainly don't want to see them in the hands of immature college students on campus. Who knows what kind of violence they may lead to. Perhaps there needs to be a size restriction.

Have any professors sued to keep them out of their classrooms?

Regarding the GunfreeUT "Protest" tonight
How do we file a freedom of Information request with UT PD to see how many citations are issued for violating Chapter 43 Penal Code
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.43.htm
Sec. 43.21
Sec. 43.22
Sec. 43.23
Sec. 43.24
I bet none are issued.

.@UTAustinPolice How many citations you issuing @ @GunFreeUT rally tonight for violating Ch 43 Penal Code Obscenity? http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.43.htm

I am assuming (but am not sure) that the sections you quote are no longer criminal.

[Jusme]

I don't think these have been amended or repealed. I think that was the reason for the "protest" in the first place because according to the Texas Penal Code, it is illegal to display these items in public, but handguns are now legal.
No one will be charged or arrested, especially in the liberal bastion that is Austin.

[Peaces]

Uneducated professors and uninformed followers. Wow, who would think that could happen in our (ctate Kapitil)
My diploma is embarrassed.

[dlh]

Don't know if this is still good law or not...but.....:)

http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pu ... V0.wpd.pdf

[TexasTornado]

I don't think these have been amended or repealed. I think that was the reason for the "protest" in the first place because according to the Texas Penal Code, it is illegal to display these items in public, but handguns are now legal.
No one will be charged or arrested, especially in the liberal bastion that is Austin.

Nor should they be....maybe a generational difference. I think "these items" (seriously can we not be adults and just say it?) should be a much more open discussion. I mean a 12 year old can buy condoms but one must be 18 to experiment privately...and we wonder why teen pregnancy rates are what they are...but I digress..

I don't think many college students are going to be offended and make a complaint with the police due to the display. More likely they will be curious or amused or both.

[Jusme]

I don't think these have been amended or repealed. I think that was the reason for the "protest" in the first place because according to the Texas Penal Code, it is illegal to display these items in public, but handguns are now legal.
No one will be charged or arrested, especially in the liberal bastion that is Austin.

Nor should they be....maybe a generational difference. I think "these items" (seriously can we not be adults and just say it?) should be a much more open discussion. I mean a 12 year old can buy condoms but one must be 18 to experiment privately...and we wonder why teen pregnancy rates are what they are...but I digress..

I don't think many college students are going to be offended and make a complaint with the police due to the display. More likely they will be curious or amused or both.

I have no problem discussing anything, of an adult nature, in an adult manner, however, a family friendly forum, might not be the best platform. I agree, that trying to legislate things that harm no one, is a bad decision. These laws were put in place decades ago, when discussing such things was forbidden, and I have no problem with them being amended or repealed. The last time that I know of someone being charged for violation of these laws, was actually, in Johnson County, and the case was thrown out, and the arresting officer was made to look pretty stupid.
As Bob Dylan said, "Times They Are A'Changin"
If people want to protest archaic laws, that's their right. But they seem more interested in protesting gun rights, than trying to change other laws. They haven't petitioned the legislature to amend or repeal. They obviously don't have the numbers of protestors to even be noticed, and are only using the hype of Campus Carry to even get a mention in the papers. JMHO

[JALLEN]

Have they repealed the Austin ordinance forbidding shooting Indians from a streetcar?

Until that's done, why worry about this other stuff?

[TreyHouston]

I don't think these have been amended or repealed. I think that was the reason for the "protest" in the first place because according to the Texas Penal Code, it is illegal to display these items in public, but handguns are now legal.
No one will be charged or arrested, especially in the liberal bastion that is Austin.

Nor should they be....maybe a generational difference. I think "these items" (seriously can we not be adults and just say it?) should be a much more open discussion. I mean a 12 year old can buy condoms but one must be 18 to experiment privately...and we wonder why teen pregnancy rates are what they are...but I digress..

I don't think many college students are going to be offended and make a complaint with the police due to the display. More likely they will be curious or amused or both.

I lived for 4 years in PA in my mid 20's and Toy parties are VERY popular! They even have party classes to teach guys and girls different... Personal techniques. People are very open with their sexuality. Here in Texas is a very different story. Good/bad I can't say, just different! But i can say that talking about it and not being ashamed grows confidence in who YOU ARE!