Story Archive

Thought Police

Campus police at the University of South Alabama in Mobile “received an anonymous report that a person in the Student Center may have been carrying an ‘unconcealed gun’,” says university spokesman Bob Lowry. Police responded and found D.J. Parten, a finance student, had a holster on his belt. An empty holster. An officer demanded to know where the gun was. “I don’t have it,” Parten replied. “Would you like a copy of the Constitution?” The officer wasn’t amused, telling Parten “if you keep being a smart ass, we’re going to figure something out” — and issuing him a citation; it is unclear what the charge was, but cooler heads prevailed and it was later rescinded. Parten is active with the organization Students for Concealed Carry, but wearing the holster wasn’t part of a protest. “I totally forgot I even had the holster on,” he says. What was he doing, then? “I was helping to promote a campus showing of a film about censoring others for their beliefs.” (RC/Mobile Press-Register) ...Independent thought on college campuses? Can’t have that in America.