Oregon University is at the centre of a controversial gun debate, following a poker tournament organised by a libertarian group.

The Young Americans for Liberty received donations from local gun shops including a .40 S&W Sig Sauer handgun, a Weatherby Vanguard 243 rifle and a Bersa Thunder handgun

However, an additional funding request made to the Student Union was rejected by an 11-5 vote.

A flyer for the event

A debate on mass school shooting

The President of Young Americans for Liberty, Thomas Tullis, claimed that the event was designed to "challenge people's ways of thinking". However, he also admitted that he was surprised that the campus supported the event the previous year.

Tullis claims the goal behind the event was to reverse a decision banning firearms on campus, because Universities in America are being targeted by mass shooters.

In response, student senator Zach Lusby told Tullis "If you were really serious about this, you would hold a panel, not a poker night that gives out weapons."

This news comes in a week when a man was shot and killed in America after an argument in a poker game. Earlier this year Instagram poker star Dan Bilzerian revealed he had a number of guns stolen from his house.

Is having guns in close proximity to players on tilt ever a good idea? Let us know your views in the comments.

Barry Carter Barry Carter is the editor of PokerStrategy.com and the co-author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 & 2. Twitter

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