WFAA photo
DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) — San Antonio College geography professor Charles K. Smith protested the Texas campus carry law by wearing Army combat gear to class last week.
Wearing camouflaged bulletproof vest and helmet, Smith told the San Antonio Express-News he doesn’t feel safe now that it’s legal for students to bring guns to his class. “It definitely makes me feel uneasy that there are more firearms on campus than there should be,” he said. “[Dressing this way] was just a statement on how I felt.”
Smith’s photo was shared on Facebook, touching off reactions ranging from those who agree with him to those who don’t.
The professor said he wasn’t just making a political point, he really doesn’t feel safe.
“I realize students were carrying guns on campus illegally, but now it’s legal to do so. It increases the chances of something happening,” said Smith.
“Used to be, when they got mad at me, they had to go home to get the gun and had time to cool off. Now they will have it with them,”
Smith’s point was largely rhetorical. He acknowledged that he has never had a gun pulled on him. He added his protest was not aimed at San Antonio College as the administration is merely following the law. He also said he informed the administration and police about his plan to wear combat gear before doing so.
