Monday will be a big day in Texas.
Fifty years ago, a gunman climbed to the top of the Texas Tower at the University of Texas campus in Austin and opened fire with his high-powered rifle.
Sixteen people died that day before the cops got to the gunman and shot him dead .
Aug. 1, 1966 is one of the state’s most infamous days.
Texas is going to mark that date by allowing people to carry guns on college campuses.
Ironic, yes? Tragically so? Yes again.
It’s interesting to me — and to a lot of others — that educators oppose this notion. Only one private university is allowing guns on its campus; the rest of them have said “no thanks.” Public universities are required under the law to allow students to carry guns into classrooms.
UT Chancellor William McRaven — the former Navy SEAL and special forces commander — is one of those who opposes campus-carry. But, what the hey? What does he know?
I’ll stipulate that I have come to accept concealed-handgun-carry as a way of life in Texas. I don’t necessarily endorse it.
Allowing guns on campuses, though, does present a unique set of concerns. What if a professor hands out a failing grade to a student who, um, might have a short fuse that could be lit with a dose of bad news? Does that student then pose an extra threat to the prof if he’s packing heat under his jacket?
Well, Texas is about to enter another era on its college and university campuses.
I’m going to hope for the best.
If only the state could have picked another date to allow guns on our campuses.
