Cole Withrow, a high school senior from North Carolina, brought guns onto school property two weeks ago.

It was an accident, he told school authorities. They were unloaded and in his car after a weekend skeet shooting trip. He only noticed when he went to his car during the school day to grab his bookbag and a drink.

In response, Liberty University and Harding University (both ultra-Christian schools) offered Cole a scholarship. (Because Jesus loved his guns.)

This week, Withrow admitted (PDF) he knew the guns were in his car. He never went back to his car. He lied to administrators about that. He apologized for letting misinformation spread. He pled guilty to misdemeanor in court.

In response, Liberty University’s Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. says he will still offer Withrow the scholarship:

“In a radio interview a couple of weeks ago, I was asked if Liberty would still assist Cole if he was convicted of the felony. I said yes. We knew that Cole might be convicted of a felony. We also knew that he might have to publicly take the blame, whether he was at fault or not, in order to have the charges reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. That’s how the criminal justice system works, especially in high-profile cases like this one, and I believe that is exactly what happened here,” Falwell said. “I personally believe that Cole was forced to admit to more than he really knew.

Our criminal justice system is a great big conspiracy against conservative, gun-toting Christians, after all.

(Thanks to Scott for the link)



