A college Associate professor David Warner Guth, who holds a master’s degree in journalism, from the University of Kansas sent out a tweet on Monday that has caused quite the controversy, calling for the deaths of NRA members' children in saying "The blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you."
He then took to his personal blog to expand his vitriolic statement:
"The blood spilled today is on the hands of the National Rifle Association. I don’t care how the NRA tries to spin this. One fact is undeniable: The NRA has championed a gun culture that is shredding our nation’s moral authority like armor-plated bullets ripping through flesh. Is that imagery too graphic for you? It is no worse than what we are seeing every night on our television screens. Do our citizens have a right to bear arms? Certainly, that’s what the Constitution says. But as it is with every other right enumerated in the Bill of Rights, there are limits. A person’s right to go about his or her job at the Navy Yard – or for that matter to attend an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut – trumps any individual’s right to stockpile weapons of mass destruction in the name of personal freedom. I don’t wish what happened today on anyone. But if it does happen again – and it likely will – may it happen to those misguided miscreants who suggest that today’s death toll at the Navy Yard would have been lower if the employees there were allowed to pack heat. Those fools don’t get it."
The college has now issued an official statement distancing themselves from the professor's statement.
LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas today issued the following statements in response to comments by Associate Professor of Journalism David Guth regarding the Navy Yard shooting in Washington, DC.
Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications:
“While the First Amendment allows anyone to express an opinion, that privilege is not absolute and must be balanced with the rights of others. That’s vital to civil discourse. Professor Guth’s views do not represent our school and we do not advocate violence directed against any group or individuals.”
Timothy C. Caboni, vice chancellor for public affairs:
“The contents of Professor Guth’s tweet were repugnant and in no way represent the views or opinions of the University of Kansas. Like all Americans, he has the right under the First Amendment to express his personal views and is protected in that regard. But it is truly disgraceful that these views were expressed in such a callous and uncaring way. We expect all members of the university community to engage in civil discourse and not make inflammatory and offensive comments.”
BizPac provides the contact information:
University of Kansas Facebook.William Allen White School of Journalism Facebook.785-864-7100
Bernadette Gray-Little, University Chancellor, [email protected]
Jack Martin, Office of Public Affairs, [email protected]
David Guth, Associate Professor of Journalism, [email protected]
