The Volokh Conspiracy has the story of a student who received a visit from campus police for the crime of suggesting that students be given permission to carry guns on campus as a means of preventing school violence:
On October 3, 2008, [John] Wahlberg and two other classmates prepared to give an oral presentation for a Communication 140 class that was required to discuss a “relevant issue in the media”. Wahlberg and his group chose to discuss school violence due to recent events such as the Virginia Tech shootings that occurred in 2007.
Shortly after his professor, Paula Anderson, filed a complaint with the CCSU Police against her student. During the presentation Wahlberg made the point that if students were permitted to conceal carry guns on campus, the violence could have been stopped earlier in many of these cases. He also touched on the controversial idea of free gun zones on college campuses.
That night at work, Wahlberg received a message stating that the campus police “requested his presence”. Upon entering the police station, the officers began to list off firearms that were registered under his name, and questioned him about where he kept them.
They told Wahlberg that they had received a complaint from his professor that his presentation was making students feel “scared and uncomfortable”….
Professor Anderson refused to comment directly on the situation and deferred further comment.
“It is also my responsibility as a teacher to protect the well being of our students, and the campus community at all times,” she wrote in a statement submitted to The Recorder. “As such, when deemed necessary because of any perceived risks, I seek guidance and consultation from the Chair of my Department, the Dean and any relevant University officials.” …
Now, the story is light on details, so there are a lot of possible circumstances that could have justified this action. The student might have stated that he actually carried or kept guns on campus, despite laws to the contrary. The student might have made suggestions that gun use would be a good way to solve non-life-threatening problems. The student might have said things out of class that made other students decide to talk to the professor.
All of these things might have happened, and just been left out of the article. But how likely do you think they are?
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