Liberty University president urges students to be armed

[Rams]

Liberty University president urges students to be armed


(CNN)—At a time when most college campuses prohibit guns, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. thinks the opposite should be the case -- urging his school's students to be armed, especially in light of this week's massacre in San Bernardino, California.

"I always thought that if more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walk in and kill," he said.

Those comments from Falwell -- a son of the late evangelist, conservative political activist and Liberty University founder -- spurred vigorous applause from thousands of students gathered Friday night for Liberty's weekly convocation. In a phone interview Saturday with CNN, Falwell said he wasn't talking about all Muslims, just those who perpetrate attacks.

Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, the married couple behind the carnage in San Bernardino, were Muslim. FBI official David Bowdich has said authorities are investigating this incident as an act of terrorism, though authorities haven't specified a motive -- noting that workplace grievances may have factored in.

Farook worked with people gunned down at a holiday luncheon and authorities are exploring his communications with at least one person being investigated for terror connections. Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS in a Facebook post during the attack, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the investigation.

Fourteen people died and 21 were wounded before police later killed the pair in a shootout.

This mass shooting, like others before it, has spurred debate about what the government should do. In its first front-page editorial in nearly 100 years, The New York Times called for a drastic reduction in available guns in America. And President Barack Obama said reforms are needed so incidents like this are "rare as opposed to normal."

But Falwell made clear that he thinks doing more to limit guns is a bad idea given what happened in San Bernardino, taking a swipe at those who think otherwise to cheers from the crowd.

"It just blows my mind when I see the President of the United States say that the answer to circumstances like this is more gun control," he said.

A smiling Falwell made a point that he had a gun "in my back pocket right now," a remark which drew roars from students.

If people at San Bernardino's Inland Regional Center, where Wednesday's rampage took place, were similarly armed, would it have made a difference? Falwell suggested they would.

That's why he encouraged those in the crowd "to get your permit," noting that Liberty -- which has more than 14,500 students on its Lynchburg, Virginia, campus, plus over 95,000 enrolled online -- offers a free gun training course.

This doesn't mean that every Liberty student will be carrying weapons at all times, though. A person has to be 21 years or older to get a concealed carry permit in Virginia, after all, and Falwell pointed out that even those with permits can't bring guns into dorms.

Talking to CNN, the university president said he doesn't want what happened in San Bernardino to happen at Liberty, saying, "I want us to be prepared."

"And let's teach them," Falwell told students the night earlier, apparently referring to potential shooters, "if they ever show up here."

This should be the attitude in every location across this nation.   Your choice, be a bystander, a victim or a problem solver.   As I said, your choice.

[3fan4life]

Liberty University is in my backdoor.

Liberty is not your typical university, its students are held to a strict moral code of conduct and are expelled quickly if they violate it.

It is also a thriving university in a time when many others are struggling to stay afloat.

I applaud President Falwell's comments, if there had been armed students at Virginia Tech on April 16th, 2007 maybe 32 students wouldn't have died.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Liberty University is in my backdoor.

Liberty is not your typical university, its students are held to a strict moral code of conduct and are expelled quickly if they violate it.

It is also a thriving university in a time when many others are struggling to stay afloat.

I applaud President Falwell's comments, if there had been armed students at Virginia Tech on April 16th, 2007 maybe 32 students wouldn't have died.

Weren't most of those in their dorms ? And what does Falwell expect his students to do with their guns after classes ?

[Serk]

And what does Falwell expect his students to do with their guns after classes ?

Keep them with them at all times? Not sure I get the gist of the question?

I carry all the time. I really think everyone should but that's each person's choice, or would be in a free society.

[The emperor has no clothes]

And what does Falwell expect his students to do with their guns after classes ?

Keep them with them at all times? Not sure I get the gist of the question?

I carry all the time. I really think everyone should but that's each person's choice, or would be in a free society.

If I understood it correctly. Falwell said he wanted them to carry, but he also said they weren't allowed to have them in their dorms.

[Serk]

And what does Falwell expect his students to do with their guns after classes ?

Keep them with them at all times? Not sure I get the gist of the question?

I carry all the time. I really think everyone should but that's each person's choice, or would be in a free society.

If I understood it correctly. Falwell said he wanted them to carry, but he also said they weren't allowed to have them in their dorms.

Ah, actually went back and read it now, and yeah that's kinda silly... If you're gonna advocate for carry (Which I STRONGLY do) go all in or don't bother.

[fudgie]

In Ind its not illegal to carry on campus. 

[Rams]

An excellent question Meathead.   I missed that.   Have to assume that Liberty U will provide an "arms room" for their students.   I personally think that's kind of silly to offer free training, to advocate, to not allow full access and then to force students in the dorms to do that but, at least they have access to self protection.

All I can say is, I don't know their entire plan but, I do approve of the concept as I understand it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

An excellent question Meathead.   I missed that.   Have to assume that Liberty U will provide an "arms room" for their students.   I personally think that's kind of silly to offer free training, to advocate, to not allow full access and then to force students in the dorms to do that but, at least they have access to self protection.

All I can say is, I don't know their entire plan but, I do approve of the concept as I understand it.

It seems dis ingenuous to me. I assume the university sets the rules for where they can carry. If he wants them to protect the classrooms why would he not let them protect themselves in their own rooms ? It's been awhile since the Virginia Tech shootings and I might not be remembering it correctly. But it seems like that dude went to some of the student housing buildings to kill people.

[3fan4life]

An excellent question Meathead.   I missed that.   Have to assume that Liberty U will provide an "arms room" for their students.   I personally think that's kind of silly to offer free training, to advocate, to not allow full access and then to force students in the dorms to do that but, at least they have access to self protection.

All I can say is, I don't know their entire plan but, I do approve of the concept as I understand it.

It seems dis ingenuous to me. I assume the university sets the rules for where they can carry. If he wants them to protect the classrooms why would he not let them protect themselves in their own rooms ? It's been awhile since the Virginia Tech shootings and I might not be remembering it correctly. But it seems like that dude went to some of the student housing buildings to kill people.

The first two students that he shot were in one of the dorms.

Approximately two hours later he began the classroom shooting rampage that would kill another 30 students.



I also thought it odd that the students wouldn't be allowed to have guns in their dorms.

I'm not sure why that is, I still applaud Liberty for not only allowing but encouraging students to carry on campus.

[hubcapsc]

In each dorm room at Clemson there were two rifle slots built into each cabinet wall. Of course, I was
there in the hippy days, we kept our guitars there.

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

In each dorm room at Clemson there were two rifle slots built into each cabinet wall. Of course, I was
there in the hippy days, we kept our guitars there.

-Mike

Dang, after all this time I thought they were for our bongs. 

[hubcapsc]

In each dorm room at Clemson there were two rifle slots built into each cabinet wall. Of course, I was
there in the hippy days, we kept our guitars there.

-Mike

Dang, after all this time I thought they were for our bongs. 

I was the cartoonist for the student newspaper at Clemson for a while...



-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

In each dorm room at Clemson there were two rifle slots built into each cabinet wall. Of course, I was
there in the hippy days, we kept our guitars there.

-Mike

Dang, after all this time I thought they were for our bongs. 

I was the cartoonist for the student newspaper at Clemson for a while...



-Mike

reminds me of one of my roommates .

[Jess from VA]

Military was (is) the same way.  You could have firearms in married (single family dwelling) housing, but not the dorms (or barracks).  Agree or not, the idea was having firearms in with guys right out of high school, living on top of each other, drinking, fighting.... and maybe shooting each other was not a good idea.

I kept my handguns in a locked case in my dorm, because I shot with the U ROTC guys in their beautiful new indoor range.  And was an RA for three years.  I didn't talk about it, or show them to anyone.  Much as some of my guys needed shooting (like the guy with a full drum set), I just had the U football lineman on my floors straighten people out.  Told them not to leave visible marks.  Two of my guys went on to the NFL.  They didn't really have to hurt anyone, threats of having your arms pulled off were adequate.

There's bourbon and branch water for those of good taste.... and cheap liquor and bong water for poor dorm students.    

[Mr Whiskey]

You can't put the Genie back in the bottle
(but some of these knuckle heads are sure determined to try)!
I should be allowed to carry my weapon to my sentencing hearing!
(Might decide I'd rather be executed on the spot.)
I have rather strong views concerning "the right (responsibility) to bear arms".
Good on Mr. Falwell

[Rams]

Obama won't get squat on gun control done with this House and Senate.

What concerns me is Hillary did the same thing Obama did when she thought the attackers were a group of white KKK members.   Remember, the first thing she did was call for more gun control.

She's been quiet since the reality hit her in the face and it turns out to be terrorism.   Probably hoping no one noticed her first call.   I also believe she supported Obama's call to let in another 10K Syrian refugees.   Remember that election day!

[3fan4life]

Liberty plans to allow students to keep guns in their dorm rooms starting next year:

Liberty plans to allow students to bring guns into their dorm rooms starting next Spring, and Falwell says he hopes that other schools follow in their footsteps.http://wsls.com/2015/12/08/jerry-falwell-jr-defends-his-statements-about-muslims-and-gun-control-opposition/

[Rams]

Seems like the right thing to do to me.   

I wonder if there will be any restrictions?   

[3fan4life]

Seems like the right thing to do to me.   

I wonder if there will be any restrictions?   

My guess is that they will have to pass a gun safety and/or a concealed carry class first.

[Jess from VA]

There will likely be some sort of locking requirement also.  I would refuse to follow such a law in my home, but in dorms or barracks it's probably a good idea. 

[BnB Tom]

                   Check out this video showing what a Sheriff in N.E. Texas recommended after Obama's state of the nation speech.

              http://conservativepost.com/must-watch-texas-sheriff-has-brutal-words-for-obama-and-tells-citizens-to/