Hamline University: Student Suspended after Advocating Concealed Carry on Campus

Case Materials

"FIRE Letter to Hamline University President Linda Hanson, November 7, 2007," November 11, 2007
"Hamline University Student Suspended After Advocating Concealed Carry for Students," FIRE Press Release, October 10, 2007: Hamline University has suspended a student after he sent an e-mail suggesting that the Virginia Tech massacre might have been stopped if students had been allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus. Student Troy Scheffler is now required to undergo a mandatory “mental health evaluation” before being allowed to return to school. Scheffler, who was suspended without due process just two days after sending the e-mail, has turned to FIRE for help.
"E-mail from Troy Scheffler to Hamline University President Linda Hanson, April 19, 2007," October 10, 2007
"E-mail from Hamline University President Linda Hanson to Troy Scheffler, April 20, 2007," October 10, 2007
"E-mail from Troy Scheffler to Hamline University Vice President of Student Affairs David Stern, April 17, 2007," October 10, 2007
"Letter from Hamline University’s Attorneys to FIRE, September 28, 2007," October 10, 2007
"FIRE Letter to Hamline University President Linda Hanson, September 17, 2007," October 10, 2007
"Hamline University Dean of Students Alan Sickbert’s Notice of Suspension to Troy Scheffler, April 23, 2007," October 10, 2007
"Hamline University President Linda Hanson’s Response to FIRE, June 11, 2007," October 10, 2007
"Hamline University’s Freedom of Expression and Inquiry Policy," October 10, 2007
"FIRE Letter to Hamline University President Linda Hanson, May 29, 2007," October 10, 2007

Media Coverage

"Loss of free inquiry on campus betrays liberal legacy," Jason Steck, The Van Der Galiën Gazette, October 24, 2007
"College Admins: If you favor Second Amendment rights, you must be crazy," Jon Sanders, Town Hall, October 17, 2007
"Minnesota College suspends student for advocating gun rights," Joe Murray, The Bulletin, October 15, 2007
"Student advocates gun rights, gets suspended; Church-affiliated university to require mental evaluation before return allowed," World Net Daily, October 11, 2007
"Banning guns (and opinions about guns) in college," Brian Doherty, Reason Magazine Hit & Run, October 11, 2007:
"Grad student suspended after pro-gun-rights e-mail," Declan McCullagh, CNETNews.com, October 10, 2007