The University of Texas in Austin will dedicate a memorial today to the victims of the mass shooting that occurred on campus August 1, 1966. It is now the 50th anniversary of the tragedy where 17 victims were killed.
On August 1, 1966, sniper Charles Whitman stood at the top of the University of Texas tower and unleashed 90 minutes of shots towards the people below. He shot over 40 people and killed 17. Whitman was then killed by police.
Following the mass shooting, life carried on in Texas and around the United States without much talk or commemoration for the victims of the attack. This type of attack was less common in the sixties, so it did not garner the type of attention mass shootings receive today, as people did not know how to react.
The stone memorial will be the first official remembrance of the event. It contains the names of the victims of the attack.
There are many discrepancies as to what legislative policies will prevent future mass shootings. While some say that tighter gun control is necessary, others disagree.
In Texas, one is legally allowed to carry a concealed weapon.
Today, there will be a new law in effect in Texas, titled the “campus carry” law, that allows for even more guns to be legal in public places. The Republicans behind this law have stated that it will serve to prevent mass shootings.
Many feel that the law is misguided, especially on this tragic day, for according to rushhourdaily.com News, the “law allows those over 21 with a concealed handgun permit to take guns into classrooms and several parts of the campus.”
This seems to be more dangerous than restricting guns.
Gun control is a heated topic in modern day politics and is a forefront issue in the general election for President of the United States. In addition to this, there has recently been a sit-in by Democrats who pushed for tighter gun restriction.
