The United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on Wednesday over allowing guns inside of classrooms at the University of Texas.
In 2017, Lee Yeakel, United States District Court Judge for the Western District of Texas, dismissed a lawsuit filed by three UT professors — Mia Carter, Lisa Moore, and Jennifer Glass — against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, University President Greg Fenves and the university’s Board of Regents, arguing that Texas’ campus carry law endangers professors and students inside of the classroom. Their argument centered around debates over controversial topics, which they say are chilled if a student is allowed to carry a gun.
Yeakel’s ruling tossed out the suit, citing no credible evidence to back up the professors’ fears.
Under the campus carry law, professors can create a gun-free zone within their own offices, but not inside of the classroom.
Supporters of Yeakel’s 2017 ruling, like the group Students for Concealed Carry, believe a successful appeal from the professors could lead to a decline in academic freedom.
Since the law took effect in August of 2016, there have been no reported incidents of any problems directly related to campus carry at the University of Texas.
