Sex Toys, Not Bullets: Students Protest Campus Gun-Carry Law

More than 4,000 people plan to protest against the campus gun-carry law by strapping, uh, sex toys to their backpacks and bringing them to class.

UT alumnus Jessica Jin organized the Facebook event “Campus (Dildo) Carry” in direct opposition to the those defending gun laws. She said she was prompted by the recent school shootings at Texas Southern University, Northern Arizona University and an elementary school in Upland, California.

“I did little research on the rules surrounding dildos in classrooms,” Jin told The Daily Texan. “When I discovered that it is indeed against UT policy to wave dildos around campus, I just couldn’t help myself.”

The “strap in,” as it’s been called, is scheduled for Aug. 24, the first full day of the fall semester.

While Texas has elected to allow concealed weapons on campus, a state penal code and a University rule ban displaying or distributing obscene materials. The crime is a misdemeanor that can be punishable by up to a $500 fine.

The controversial campus gun law will allow license holders to carry concealed handguns throughout university campuses. The law goes into effect Aug. 1, 2016. Since the law’s signing, there’s been an outburst of protest among students and professors.

“There’s a lot of arguing going on, but the consensus is we’re all just trying to not get killed,” Jin said.

A creative social media hashtag, #C----NotGlocks has become the rallying call for thousands of students, faculty, and Texans looking to create dialogue around the law. While Jin has gotten her share of support, many have actively fought against her mission, including Allison Peregory, chairwoman of the Young Conservatives of the UT Chapter and representative for Students for Concealed Carry.

“I don’t know what [people] plan to do with a dildo against an assailant,” Peregory said in a statement to The Daily Texan. “But as a woman, and I know other Texas women agree with me, we’re going to take concealed carry over a dildo to protect us any day.”

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Jin said she chose the sex toy because it has provided commentary on what society does and doesn’t consider to be obscene. She’s also using them to make a point about American culture when it comes to sex and violence. She pointed out that there tends to be a taboo on bodies and sexuality, while violence through media is considered acceptable.

“Some shootings in this past year can even be traced straight back to sexual repression,” Jin said. “Dildos and guns are in it together for the long haul.” 

[Photo: Campus (Dildo) Carry Facebook.