Students march against guns on campus

AUSTIN (KXAN) - On the second year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings, University of Texas at Austin students are marching against guns on campus.

After failing to sway lawmakers during a committee hearing, UT students who oppose legislation that would allow guns on campus, are trying a different approach to bring down the bill. Hundreds of students are expected to walk out of class at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday and march to the south steps of the Capitol, where various speakers will reiterate the message they have been relaying to legislators since HB 1893 was filed.

"What we're hoping is that legislators start to really listen to the students as well as the administration," said Andy Pelosi with the national movement, Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus. "We hope they will listen to what the schools really want and that is they don't want guns on campus."

The march comes after a House committee hearing where survivors from the Virginia Tech shootings and UT students urged lawmakers to vote against the legislation. However, after testimony from both sides on the issue, lawmakers passed the bill out of committee and it is headed to the House floor for a vote.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, and is meant to allow people over 21 years of age to carry a gun on campus if they have permit.

Supporters of the bill said it would protect the rights of people licensed to carry concealed weapons, and it would prevent another mass shooting like the one that happened at Virginia Tech. Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, sponsored the Senate version of the bill.

"I have no desire to wake up one morning and read in the newspaper, or hear on the radio, or watch on television a news report that 32 Texas college students were gunned down like sitting ducks by some deranged gunman," Wentworth said.

Those speaking at the rally on Thursday include:

• Andy Pelosi, Executive Director of Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus
• Keshav Rajagopalan, former Student Body President, Univ. of Texas (2008-09)
• Marsha McCartney, North Texas Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
• Bruce Elfant, Travis County Constable
• Representatives from Students For Gun-Free Schools