On Friday, the President of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr., encouraged the school’s students to get their permits to carry concealed weapons during the school’s convocation. These convocation services are mandatory to attend for students who live on-campus. He said, “It just blows my mind that the president of the United States [says] that the answer to circumstances like that is more gun control.”
The audience responded in applause.
Are you all out of your minds? How can this nation possibly solve this epidemic of gun violence with more guns? Frankly, it just doesn’t make any sense.
Falwell continued, speaking about the shooting in San Bernardino, California, on Wednesday. He said, “If some of those people in that community center had what I have in my back pocket right now…Is it illegal to pull it out? I don’t know.” Falwell ended this sentence with a laugh.
Shouldn’t you be well-versed in gun-carrying laws if you’re carrying a gun in your back pocket, Falwell?
The president didn’t stop there, unfortunately. He said, “I’ve always thought that if more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walked in and killed them.” He was met with even more applause.
Let that sink in for a moment. Americans were applauding a man who was suggesting mass murder of a religious group. You know what that’s called? Genocide. They’re applauding genocide.
Falwell plugged Liberty University in the same speech, noting that the school offers a free course to get a concealed-carry permit.
In response to this speech, a spokesperson for Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said:
“My administration is committed to making Virginia an open and welcoming Commonwealth, while also ensuring the safety of all of our citizens. Mr. Falwell’s rash and repugnant comments detract from both of those crucial goals. Those of us in leadership positions, whether in government or education, must take care to remember the tremendous harm that can result from reckless words.”
In an interview with the Washington Post, Falwell clarified that by “those Muslims,” he actually meant Islamic terrorists, specifically those behind the attacks in Paris and in San Bernardino. Despite the correction, the damage has been done. If he actually meant the distinction, he would have said so during the convocation. I don’t buy it.
Falwell has allegedly received overwhelming support from his students. Yet another reason to avoid the southern United States at all costs.
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