Professor Takes Heat for Calling Cops on Student Who Discussed Guns in Class

[TitsMcGee]

Via FoxNews.com

A professor in Connecticut reported one of her students to the police after he gave a class presentation on why students and teachers should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus. Now, free speech activists say the professor’s actions are what really need to be investigated.

Last October, John Wahlberg and two classmates at Central Connecticut State University gave an oral presentation for a communications class taught by Professor Paula Anderson. The assignment was to discuss a “relevant issue in the media,” and the students presented their view that the death toll in the April 2007 Virginia Tech shooting massacre would have been lower if professors and students had been carrying guns.

That night, police called Wahlberg, a 23-year-old senior, and asked him to come to the station. When he arrived, they they read off a list of firearms that were registered in his name and asked where he kept them. Guns are strictly prohibited on the CCSU campus and residence halls, but Wahlberg says he lives 20 miles off-campus and keeps his gun collection locked up in a safe. No further action was taken by police or administrators.

“I don’t think that Professor Anderson was justified in calling the CCSU police over a clearly non-threatening matter,” Wahlberg told The Recorder, the CCSU student newspaper that first reported the story. “Although the topic of discussion may have made a few individuals uncomfortable, there was no need to label me as a threat.”

Wahlberg declined to comment further to FOXNews.com, saying he did not want more media attention.

According to The Recorder, Anderson cited safety as her reason for calling the police.

“It is also my responsibility as a teacher to protect the well-being of our students, and the campus community at all times,” she told 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.”

Anderson did not respond to calls from FOXNews.com. Campus police forwarded requests to university spokesman Mark McLaughlin, who declined to comment, citing Wahlberg’s privacy.

Robert Shibley, vice president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), said Anderson's actions appeared to be out of line.

“If all he did was discuss reasons for allowing guns on campus, it seems a bit much to call the police and grill him about it,” Shibley said. “If you go after students for just discussing an idea, that goes against everything a university is supposed to stand for.”

Shibley said FIRE has seen many more cases of hair-trigger responses by administrators over anything gun-related since the Virginia Tech shooting.

In 2007, Shibley noted, a student at Hamline University in Minnesota was suspended after writing a letter to an administrator arguing that carrying concealed weapons on campus may help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. The student was allowed to return only after undergoing a psychological evaluation, he said.

Shibley also cited an incident at Colorado College last year in which campus administrators denounced a flyer as "threatening and demeaning content" because it mentioned guns. He said the students who produced the flyer were found guilty of violating the school’s violence policy, which was added to their school records.

“It is, of course, important that administrators identify real threats to students,” Shibley said. “But they need to use logic to discern whether a threat is real.”

But Jerold Duquette, an associate professor of political science at CCSU who sits on the Faculty Senate Committee on Academic Freedom, say the Wahlberg case is not so clear-cut.

“This is a situation where both sides can come up with a reasonable explanation,” Duquette said.

“[Wahlberg] certainly has a reason to complain, since he didn’t do anything directly threatening. But I wouldn’t say the administration has a reason to sanction or punish the professor or the police.... I don’t know if I would have done anything differently in the situation.”

Katie Kasprzak, a spokeswoman for the group Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, suggested that the professor called the police because she disagreed with Wahlberg’s political views.

"Critics of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus argue that colleges and universities are dedicated to the free flow of ideas,” she said. “Yet when a student gives a class presentation on a relevant issue in the media, it is acceptable to label the student as a threat? The only threat posed was a threat to the professor’s personal beliefs.”

Duquette said there was no evidence to support that.

“I think a lot of people see this as a liberal professor going after a student because he likes guns. I don’t know if that’s the case,” Duquette said, adding that more would need to be known about the incident.

“I think a lot of people see this as a liberal professor going after a student because he likes guns. I don’t know if that’s the case,” Duquette said, adding that more would need to be known about the incident.

Yah we need to hear more on the incident, but I'm pretty sure it was just a liberal professor going after a student who likes guns.

[n0Mad]

I read a different article on this incident and that's the same impression I got. The students who did the presentation presented a well researched and logically compelling argument; however, the professor's ideology disagreed which is why the cops were called.

Case study with Appalachia University of Law (or something like that) shows that having guns on campus did save lives, and the state of Utah allows the carrying of concealed weapons on campus and have no incidents or problems. Yet mentioning this is a threat? I don't see how.

Sad really. I remember a time when universities actually had shooting clubs and some even had ranges on campus. Heck, when my father was young his high school had a gun range. When did guns go bad? Too many hoplophobes making rules.

[TitsMcGee]

I read a different article on this incident and that's the same impression I got. The students who did the presentation presented a well researched and logically compelling argument; however, the professor's ideology disagreed which is why the cops were called.

Case study with Appalachia University of Law (or something like that) shows that having guns on campus did save lives, and the state of Utah allows the carrying of concealed weapons on campus and have no incidents or problems. Yet mentioning this is a threat? I don't see how.

Sad really. I remember a time when universities actually had shooting clubs and some even had ranges on campus. Heck, when my father was young his high school had a gun range. When did guns go bad? Too many hoplophobes making rules.

It's quite sad that an educator can't put their personal beliefs aside when it comes to dealing with students who have different opinions than them. I'm still rather shocked the cops even bothered to call him in.

[prick]

This is unbelievable! Now even talking about guns is a crime? Uh oh theres someone at my door.

[Homicidalheathen]

This is unbelievable! Now even talking about guns is a crime? Uh oh theres someone at my door.

yah that sucks! The way shootings on campus happen now days...I would want to wear a bullet proof vest.

If your not going to offer good security like metal detectors and xray then let them protect themselves.

[n0Mad]

There's a company that makes backpacks with ballistic inserts. If I wasn't so exhausted from last night's show (read: lazy, lol) I'd find the link to a newsletter I'm on where a guy reviewed the product and included some YouTube clips of him testing it.

[Rev.Reverence]

some liberals cast a horrid light upon the rest.

Why?...I think cranial-rectitis...

...isn't the freedom of speech...like sacred at a University?

EVEN before America was more than some Colonies..?

I surmise the teacher (PROFESSOR?) was angry because he could not argue against the point & thus felt stupid...had he chosen to feel ignorant he could have learned from his students thus becoming a better teacher...instead..he is a backward idiot...everybody get the moral there???

[Scary Guy]

This is unbelievable! Now even talking about guns is a crime? Uh oh theres someone at my door.

Don't even think about crimethought.

instead..he is a backward idiot...everybody get the moral there???

Yes, if he didn't act like a backward idiot we would have never known about the story and should thank him for casting a negative light on himself and other anti-gun advocates :D

[Rev.Reverence]

Don't even think about crimethought.

Yes, if he didn't act like a backward idiot we would have never known about the story and should thank him for casting a negative light on himself and other anti-gun advocates :D

*trys not to commit thought crime* DAMN...I keep doing that.

...yeah...but if there were less backward idiots then we could simply move forward

[TrixieGothGirl]

Since when is the word 'gun' a crime to mention? Last time I checked, that's all it is; a word. Thirty years ago ths professor would've been laughed off the campus. Give me a fucking break, geez. (rolls eyes)

[Scary Guy]

SCHOOL - 1957 vs. 2007

Scenario:

Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.

1957

- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007

- School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario:

Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957

- Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007

- Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario:

Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1957

- Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007

- Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957

- Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2007

- Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957

- Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2007

- Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario:

Pedro fails high school English.

1957

- Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, and goes to college.

2007

- Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario:

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up a red ant bed.

1957

- Ants die.

2007

- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957

- In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2007

- Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

[Rev.Reverence]

[TitsMcGee]

SCHOOL - 1957 vs. 2007

Scenario:

Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.

1957

- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007

- School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario:

Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957

- Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007

- Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario:

Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1957

- Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007

- Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957

- Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2007

- Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957

- Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2007

- Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario:

Pedro fails high school English.

1957

- Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, and goes to college.

2007

- Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario:

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up a red ant bed.

1957

- Ants die.

2007

- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957

- In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2007

- Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Sad but true, what the fuck happend to this country.

[TygerLili]

I'm sure I'll get a bunch of flak for this, but I'm going to play devil's advocate.

If the student had said something really disturbing (and I wasn't there, so I have no idea if he did or not) and the teacher hadn't reported it, then the student had brought a gun on campus a few weeks later, the teacher might have said something like "He seemed a little off, but I didn't think he was a serious threat," that teacher probably would have been ostracized, called incompetent and possibly even fired for not taking the threat seriously. It seems like these days you're pretty much damned if you do and damned if you don't.

[Rev.Reverence]

I'm sure I'll get a bunch of flak for this, but I'm going to play devil's advocate.

If the student had said something really disturbing (and I wasn't there, so I have no idea if he did or not) and the teacher hadn't reported it, then the student had brought a gun on campus a few weeks later, the teacher might have said something like "He seemed a little off, but I didn't think he was a serious threat," that teacher probably would have been ostracized, called incompetent and possibly even fired for not taking the threat seriously. It seems like these days you're pretty much damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Tru dat!! 6 in/half dozen of...

[TheOsakaKoneko]

SCHOOL - 1957 vs. 2007

Scenario:

Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.

1957

- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007

- School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario:

Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957

- Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007

- Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario:

Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1957

- Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007

- Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957

- Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2007

- Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957

- Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2007

- Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario:

Pedro fails high school English.

1957

- Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, and goes to college.

2007

- Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario:

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up a red ant bed.

1957

- Ants die.

2007

- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957

- In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2007

- Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

::weeps::

[candyman]

I love my guns...

However, I can totally see how this can happen...

Look at what they are teaching kids about the Civil War...soon they won't even know that anyone died...they just all vanished

I got my grade lowered AT COLLEGE for having a mohawk becuase it "wasn't professional"...duh...but it college

UW Madison is trying to BAN hoodies...

I had four campus security officers come to my room because I was looking at WW2 collectors guns...that people rarely shoot when they own them

I got an F on a VERY long and VERY detailed paper on alternative fuels...even though I had all the engineering specs that nobody else did...all because I said that I do not belive in "green" technologies...my teacher called me a selfish bastard and said that I don't deserve to pass his class if I can't give respect to someones opinion...yeah...right...

You want more? Madison left me with at least one experience like this every day...they call it little 'Frisco...partly because of all the gay people...but mostly because they are "progressive"...which apparently means a retarded version of a totalitarian society...

What are we expecting here? I saw this shit coming a while ago and its only going to get worse...they censored the word "pants" on the radio a while back...so this doesn't seem as odd anymore...