Nobel Prize-Winning Texas Professor: Guns Not Welcome In My Class

[SecularMotion]

Texas’ campus carry law was passed by a Republican legislature last May and goes into effect this fall, making the state one of nine that allows licensed concealed carriers to bring guns on campus, according to a report by the Education Commission of the States and NASPA, an association for student affairs professionals. Twenty-one states expressly ban guns on campus.

Though the carrying of firearms on school grounds has been permitted in Texas since 1995, the new law extends that right to buildings on campus. It authorizes private universities to opt out, which they overwhelmingly have. Public universities were permitted to enact “reasonable rules and regulations” for the policy. In its report to UT Austin President Gregory Fenves, who is expected to issue regulations in mid-February, the group tasked with recommending these provisions conceded, “Every member of the Working Group—including those who are gun owners and license holders—thinks it would be best if guns were not allowed in classrooms.” Nevertheless, it determined, such a ban would violate the law.

Undeterred, Weinberg stood at the meeting to say, “I will put it into my syllabus that the class is not open to students carrying guns.” To applause, he added that he was willing “to expose myself to a lawsuit” should one be brought by the state legislature or individual gun owners.

While admitting he’s no legal scholar, the physicist told The Daily Beast he’s spoken to several in the university’s law school, and based on those conversations, he thinks a First Amendment claim could win in any challenge from the state legislature or an individual gun owner in federal court. “Having guns in the classroom places an undue burden on the rights of free speech of professors and students discussing controversial issues,” he said.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/28/nobel-prize-winning-texas-professor-guns-not-welcome-in-my-class.html

[avebury]

1. It might be a good time for a University from a state

that doesn't allow guns on campus to offer this guy a job. It is a big kudo for a university to get professors of Weinberg's caliber and renown. Why stay in a state where guns are valued more than the lives of professors?

[PhysicsProf]

2. I'd hire him in a heartbeat!

I'd hire him in my department in a heartbeat. Budget restrictions notwithstanding (thanks to our new teabag governor), I think my Dean, Provost, and President could find the dollars!

[ileus]

3. number matter more than lives...

[DonP]

4. And how will he "know" who is carrying concealed in his class?

Will it also be effective against criminals carrying into his class as well?

Metal detectors at every lecture hall entrance?

Nice pointless posturing for the press.

Once upon a time we had a "professor" right here in the Gungeon declaring the same. He's gone now.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

5. This will be an interesting controversy

Since UT Austin receives above 20% of its funding from state sources, the State of Texas has something to say in this regard. To the best of my knowledge UT is a nonprofit not owned by but partially funded by the state.

The point of the controversy that interests and concerns me is that the university is a public resource and the individuals attending and working there, which includes a spectrum from those who abhor guns and to those who espouse their RKBA including their state acknowledged right to CC, have certain rights.

I suggest that wisdom is needed from all parties considering the formulation and implementation rules, potential litigation and from any judicial entities that may eventually become involved. I would hope neither any students enrolled in the professor's Spring Math-Physics course nor the professor make the classroom part of this controversy.

I would hope the UT Austin President would include in the expected regulations a provision for a non-immediate effectivity.

[linuxman]

6. That's fine. Not a damn thing he can do about it though.

Sounds like a control freak.

What is he going to do? Pat down the students?

He's right though. He really doesn't know anything about the law. Should have stuck with physics.

[ManiacJoe]

7. How many of the students are over 21 and thus eligible to carry in the first place?

Far too many of these professors have no clue what they are talking about in the first place.

[GGJohn]

8. Reminds me of a certain professor on a time out right now.

Claims he won't allow firearms into his classroom even if the law allowed it.

[DonP]

9. We have ascertained that it is an option in his state

Based on several of his own comments about the caucus tomorrow, apparently he "teaches" in Iowa.

The carry law in Iowa, from what I could find, leaves it up to the individual school to determine who may carry and where.

So if the state passes a campus carry law or if "his University" decides to allow it, that's that.

It would be rich (but not terribly surprising) if it turned out his school already allows it and he doesn't even know the rules.

[stone space]

11. Guns are not welcome in my classes, either. (nt)

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

12. Why not? n/t

[sarisataka]

13. Welcome back

Are you willing to face a lawsuit like Dr. Weinberg?

[stone space]

18. Threats seem to be all the NRA has.

Are you willing to face a lawsuit like Dr. Weinberg?

[GGJohn]

19. What threat?

Just obey the law and no lawsuit, easy peasy.

[stone space]

20. What lawsuit?

Just obey the law and no lawsuit, easy peasy.

And why would any of my lawbreaking activities even concern you?

[GGJohn]

21. The lawsuit if you tried to illegally ban a student from your class

if you suspected that he/she was concealed carrying, that is, if concealed carry were approved by the college admins.

And why would any of my lawbreaking activities even concern you?

This is a discussion board, so we, you know, discuss.

[stone space]

22. We don't usually duscuss lawsuits against specific DU posters.

What did I do to you?

[GGJohn]

23. Awwww, it's always about you.

What did I do to you?

[stone space]

24. You are making up silly nonsense about ficticious lawsuits against me.

Awwww, it's always about you.

Why?

These lawsuits against me exist only in your own head.

[GGJohn]

25. LOL,

picking up right where you left off when you went on "vacation".

It's always about how you're the victim here.

[sarisataka]

32. What threat?

Dr. Weinberg said he would be willing to face a lawsuit, acknowledging that his position is contrary to state law. Do you have that same conviction?

Also, if lawsuits are threats why all of the angst over the PLCAA? Unless it is all about threatening businesses engaged in legal activities.

What NRA do you speak of? I did not see them mentioned in the article.

[stone space]

33. Why would I face a lawsuit?

Dr. Weinberg said he would be willing to face a lawsuit, acknowledging that his position is contrary to state law. Do you have that same conviction?

I've been teaching for decades now, and suddenly I'm going to face lawsuits because some anonymous DU posters suddenly and inexplicably decide to start issuing threats of lawsuits and arrests over the internet in 2016?

Seriously?

I understand that Lucky Gunner's attacks on the parents of a gun victim has you guys revved up with images of bankrupting anybody who disagrees with the NRA, but this is really getting silly.

[sarisataka]

34. No threat,

just a simple question. Funny (strange) that you see it as a threat.

And who said anything about arrests?

Lucky Gunner's attacks on the parents of a gun victim

I didn't realized the word of the day was obfuscation . Or is it misrepresentation?

[GGJohn]

35. You just can't stop with the falsehoods can you?

Lucky Gunner didn't threaten or attack anyone, on the contrary they were attacked and their business was threatened, it was the courts that ruled the plaintiffs had to pay legal fees.

Try telling the truth every now and then.

[stone space]

36. Some folks in this forum have a Lucky Gunner Complex.

That's why they routinely threaten lawsuits and arrests at the drop of a hat.

Lucky Gunner's financial attack on the family of a gun victim has some folks here absolutely psyched!

[GGJohn]

37. And one person (hint, hint) has a hard time telling the truth about the Lucky Gunner lawsuit.

One more time, Lucky Gunner didn't financially attack the family, it was the other way around.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

38. Ouch!

"It is apparent that this case was filed to pursue the political purposes of the Brady Center and, given the failure to present any cognizable legal claim, bringing these defendants into the Colorado court where the prosecution of James Holmes was proceeding appears to be more of an opportunity to propagandize the public and stigmatize the defendants than to obtain a court order,” said Judge Matsch in his order.

http://politistick.com/judge-goes-off-on-brady-center-after-dismissing-anti-second-amendment-lawsuit/

[GGJohn]

39. That had to leave a mark.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

40. Almost 112,000 "marks"

[GGJohn]

14. How would you know?

If it's properly concealed, you wouldn't even know.

[DonP]

16. It's not up to you, but you already knew that

It's up to the school administration to make that call.

Besides, you'll never know one way or the other.

[beevul]

17. If you recieve so much as a cent of public money...

If you recieve so much as a cent of public money in your school, then the decision isn't yours to make.

Too bad, so sad.

[beevul]

15. I too admit, hes no legal scholar.

While admitting he’s no legal scholar, the physicist told The Daily Beast he’s spoken to several in the university’s law school, and based on those conversations, he thinks a First Amendment claim could win in any challenge from the state legislature or an individual gun owner in federal court. “Having guns in the classroom places an undue burden on the rights of free speech of professors and students discussing controversial issues,” he said.

Amendment 1 restricts only government, mister teacher.

[deathrind]

26. Good for him! N/T

[GGJohn]

27. He'll lose on this issue and probably be fined thousands of dollars

and disciplined.

[stone space]

28. All the NRA and their minions have is threats.

He'll lose on this issue and probably be fined thousands of dollars and disciplined.

[GGJohn]

29. Again, stone space, what threats? eom.

[deathrind]

30. The professor is most likely well aware...

...of the potential outcomes. I am not as sanguine as you are concerning what you obviously see as the foregone conclusion of the on coming legal issue. Given this is a public university the 1st Amendment argument will carry as much if not more weight than the 2nd Amendment argument, just from the "greater good" aspect alone. But it will be interesting to watch and be a very good test case to see just how far the forced feeding of OC laws can go.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend

[GGJohn]

31. Interesting theory, we'll see what happens.

Immensely enjoying it, hope you are also.

[beevul]

41. A little problem with your theory.

Given this is a public university the 1st Amendment argument will carry as much if not more weight than the 2nd Amendment argument, just from the "greater good" aspect alone.

The first amendment argument is not even applicable since amendment 1, like amendment 2, restricts only government.

Students are not agents of the government.

Teachers at a public university receiving public funding are.

Guess who the restrictions on government apply to, and who they don't.



This will get laughed out of court.

[deathrind]

42. Ummm, ok...

Thanks for your opinion. It is noted.

P.S. You should revisit the 1st Amendment. There is a glaring contradiction in your unsolicited reply.

[beevul]

43. Point it out.

There is a glaring contradiction in your unsolicited reply.

Point it out.


Otherwise, the glaring error in your unsolicited post, stands.