Texas

UT Students, Faculty: Campus Carry Timing an 'Ironic Coincidence’

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• published: 28 Jul 2016
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A new law passed last year to allow concealed handgun license holders the ability to carry their weapons on state university campuses statewide takes effect Monday; the same day that marks 50 years since a student opened fire from high up in the campus tower at the University of Texas at Austin. Many faculty, students and parents call the timing of the events an ‘ironic coincidence.’ August 1, 1966, Charles Whitman, a student at the University of Texas at Austin incited panic and chaos on the 40 acres when he opened fire from the 28th floor of the campus’ iconic tower. Whitman killed more than a dozen people and injured more than 30 others in the historic massacre before two men shot and killed him. Fast-forward to today – 50 years later – a landmark anniversary with a legislative twist. Steve Goode: “It is certainly an ironic coincidence.” A new law passed last year to allow concealed handgun license holders the ability to carry their weapons on public university campuses statewide takes effect Monday, on the anniversary, a few weeks shy of the start of classes. Steve Goode, UT Law Professor: “I think the only thing that will mitigate against that becoming a major issue is that it’s Aug. 1 as opposed to Aug. 25 and so the campus will still be fairly empty on Aug. 1. But we’ll see what happens when students come back and classes start.” Steve Goode, a U-T law professor chaired the Campus Carry Policy Working Group. Over the course of three months last year, the group gathered input on how handguns must be carried and stored, where they’re not permitted and proactive measures the university should take. Several people we talked to at UT were not happy about the new law. Keili Harrison, UT Austin Student: “I’m not a fan of it to be honest. I do see where it could come in handy, but I think the consequences will be heavier than the benefit.” Sahit Reddy, UT Austin Student: “I’m a little scared just because recently there’s been so many shooting events and you just never know.” Michael Thomas Ricketts, UT Alum: “I would say, as a parent, I’d be very concerned…I like the idea of having a safe, guns-free campus. I think that’s great for the education system and the ability to learn.” State Sen. Brian Birdwell, (R) Granbury: “We ought not be limiting a right on public property the people of Texas own.” For the Republican lawmakers who crafted the legislation, it’s about protecting the constitutional right to bear arms on government property. The law allows for universities to carve out limited “gun-free zones,” such as labs that store hazardous chemicals, child-care facilities and ticketed sporting events. Steve Good: “The odds that anything is going to happen are extremely slight. Odds that it’ll be an accidental discharge are probably greater than anything else, but who knows. It’s just hard to know what’s going to happen.” Goode just hopes the focus on the law simmers after it takes effect; that it becomes a fact of life on campus as it has in other states with similar campus carry laws on the books. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - → Subscribe for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/thetexastribune → Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texastribune → Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/texastribune