Jerry Falwell, Jr., the President of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, recently made a controversial statement regarding Muslims and gun violence.
According to FoxNews.com, during Friday’s convocation at the University, Falwell encouraged students to have concealed carry permits.
“Let’s teach them a lesson if they ever show up here,” Falwell said, in reference to the San Bernardino shooting.
"I've always thought if more good people had concealed carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walked in," he continues.
These comments have generated significant criticism, although Falwell told the Associated Press that he was specifically referring to Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, the couple responsible for the San Bernardino shooting.
In a follow-up interview with Lynchburg newspaper the News & Advance, Falwell clarified that he believes, “There are many good Muslims, many good moderate Muslims.”
Falwell also told the Associated Press that he believes Liberty’s campus must be prepared in light of the increasingly frequent mass shootings.
Terry McAuliffe, the Governor of Virginia, condemned Falwell’s statement.
“Those of us in leadership positions, whether in government or education, must take care to remember the tremendous harm that can result from reckless words,” said McAuliffe.
Photo courtesy: Wikipedia
Publication date: December 7, 2015