Pro-gun group approves of UT dildo-friendly protest "If carrying a phallus to class helps you express yourself, go for it," they say

Students for Concealed Carry released a statement early Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, that they embraced the dildo use by University of Texas at Austin students who are protesting the controversial campus carry law. The law took effect Aug. 1, 2016, and allows students and staff with concealed carry licenses to bring firearms to campus. less Students for Concealed Carry released a statement early Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, that they embraced the dildo use by University of Texas at Austin students who are protesting the controversial campus carry ... more Photo: Students For Concealed Carry Photo: Students For Concealed Carry Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Pro-gun group approves of UT dildo-friendly protest 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

A pro-gun group that advocates for the concealed carry of handguns by Texas college students says that it approves of recent protests involving sex toys.

Students for Concealed Carry released a statement early Wednesday saying they embraced dildo use by University of Texas at Austin students this week, who are protesting the controversial campus carry law. The regulation took effect Aug. 1, 2016, and allows students and staff with concealed carry licenses to bring firearms to campus.

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On Wednesday, 4,500 dildos will be distributed on the UT-Austin campus in protest of the polarizing state law. About 10,000 students have signed up to attend the rally. It’s not known if there will be dildos for those without them or if there has been a run on area dildo stores in advance of the rally.

Brian Bensimon, Texas state director of Students for Concealed Carry, said in a statement, "If carrying a phallus to class helps you express yourself, go for it. We welcome this demonstration that freedom of speech and concealed carry of handguns can coexist on the same campus."

The concealed-carry group even started a web store touting the "Gun Dildo Alliance" with shirts and stickers for sale.

But Bensimon did say that the dildos should only be used for recreational or political purposes while on campus, lest the group get into hot water with school officials. The sex toys violate the school's obscenity clause, to boot.

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“Using a dildo as a defensive weapon could classify it as a 'club,' which, under Texas law, is illegal to carry in public and constitutes a felony if carried into a building on campus,” the group’s statement says.

"Although SCC's (Students for Concealed Carry) opinion shouldn't be taken as legal advice, we feel that Texas students are on pretty solid legal ground as long as they use their dildos only as expressions of free speech or for the manufacturers' intended purpose," the statement continues.

Meanwhile, UT officials say the dildo usage in this context is protected.

"We are viewing this as a free speech issue," a UT spokesperson told the Austin American-Statesman. "Students have a right to express themselves. This appears to be protected political speech."