At least one person on the Michigan State University campus believes that protecting students requires the school to change its strict firearms policy.
Shortly after Monday’s deadly shooting at the university, a landmark rock on the East Lansing campus — made famous by students who often spray paint messages on its face — displayed the message, “How Many More?” But on Tuesday night, the rock was repainted with a pro-gun message, WSBT reported.
The new message painted on the rock read, “Allow Us to Defend Ourselves and Carry on Campus.” Local media reported that it’s unknown who painted the pro-gun message on the rock or if that person is a student at the university.
The pro-gun message remained for only a few hours. Two students took exception to the display and met at the rock Wednesday morning to “cover this s*** up.”
“Come here girl, let’s cover this shit up.”
Two students have arrived with paint to cover over the message on The Rock that advocates for more guns on MSU’s campus. They don’t know each other – but both had the same idea. They’re getting to know each other as they paint. pic.twitter.com/vVQuBrTXhl
— Rachel Louise Just (@RLJnews) February 15, 2023
Three Michigan State students were killed, and five more were injured Monday night after a 43-year-old man allegedly opened fire on two locations on campus. The suspect, who was unaffiliated with the university according to police, later committed suicide. He had a previous 2019 conviction for possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle, for which he spent up to 18 months in state prison, The Detroit News reported. He was released from supervision in May 2021.
Michigan State prohibits students, staff, and faculty from carrying firearms in campus facilities and public places, including classrooms, dorms, and stadiums. The university does, however, allow visitors with concealed carry permits to bring firearms on campus, WSBT reported.
The university’s policy on firearms and weapons states, “Except as permitted by state law regulating firearms, no person shall possess any firearm or weapon anywhere upon property governed by the Board.”
Police officers and “other legally established law enforcement officers” are allowed to carry a gun on campus, according to the policy.
Just hours after the deadly shooting, a leading Michigan Democrat took to social media to push for more gun control while telling his followers, “F*** your thoughts and prayers.”
“Thoughts and prayers with action and change are meaningless,” said State Rep. Ranjeev Puri, the majority whip in Michigan’s Democrat-controlled House. “Our office will continue to work tirelessly to pass common sense gun reform immediately. We will not stop until our students can attend school without fear, our communities can attend places of worship in peace, and our society is safe from senseless gun violence.”
Michigan State students will gather at “The Rock” Wednesday evening to hold a vigil for Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson, the students killed in the shooting, according to WNEM.
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