March 2, 2004

Larson still fuming over firearm ban

By Bill Choy
Ashland Daily Tidings

Lars Larson, a conservative Portland radio talk show host, is still disputing Southern Oregon University's decision to rescind its offer to him to participate in a First Amendment Forum on campus.

Larson declined a request to leave his concealed weapon at home, going as far as comparing his situation to that of Rosa Parks.

The university is the bulls-eye of Larson's recent talk shows. He claims the request was a violation of his Second Amendment rights to bring his concealed weapon onto campus. Larson's show airs on 17 radio stations in Oregon and is syndicated nationally on Westwood One radio.

In support of Larson, conservative Medford radio talk show host Rosemary Harrington and her husband Garth will decline an invitation to participate in the forum in protest of the decision.

Civil rights

On Monday afternoon, Larson said in a phone interview that he has had numerous supportive phone calls and e-mails.

"It's about my civil rights," Larson said. "They [should] admit they're violating people's rights and back down ... and admit visitors and students on campus [with a concealed weapons license], and allow them to do what state law allows them to do."

He compared himself to civil rights activist Rosa Parks refusing to ride in the back of the bus, and statements on his Web site followed the same logic.

"Civil rights aren't just about skin color," he wrote. "Some people have asked me why I don't just compromise and leave it at home. Should Rosa Parks have taken that seat in the back of the bus? She would have gotten home just as fast. The answer is no. She had a civil right to ride in front of the bus ... and I have a civil right to carry a gun."

Larson said he is considering filing a lawsuit. He has said Section 27 of the Oregon Constitution and Oregon Statue 166.170 guarantees his right to carry a concealed weapon in any public location except for state and municipal courtrooms. The only government entity that can regulate any aspect of firearm possession is the state legislature, Larson said.

Oregon Administrative Rules, which govern the State Board of Higher Education, prohibit firearms on the campuses of the state's seven public universities.

Heating up

A few weeks ago, associate professor Paul Steinle, who is organizing the Thomas W. Pyle First Amendment Forum, learned that Larson carries a concealed weapon.

The controversy began Friday, when the university announced that they rescinded an offer to Larson because he had refused to comply with a request not bring a concealed weapon onto the SOU campus. He has had a concealed carry permit for almost 10 years.

Larson is not the only one to dispute the rule.

In January, a graduate student at the University of Oregon in Eugene challenged the weapons ban on public university campuses by filing a lawsuit.

To obtain a concealed weapons permit in Oregon, applicants must be 21 or older, have no misdemeanors in the four years prior to their application and never have committed a felony. Handgun use training is also required.

First Amendment

Ron Bolstad, vice president of administration and finance at SOU, said the university has offered Larson an armed officer at the school's expense to make him feel more protected.

"That would a compromise," Bolstad said. "We do want him to participate on Wednesday."

Steinle said Larson declined the offer.

Steinle said it's too bad this controversy is taking away from the forum's design - a discussion on the First Amendment and the role and impact talk radio has in this country.

"It seems like we're diverging from what the forum is about: the First Amendment," Steinle said. "And it deserves our attention."

He said there will be no replacement for Larson.

Jeff Golden of Ashland is the host of "The Jefferson Exchange" on Jefferson Public Radio News and Information Network, and is participating in the forum. He said he wishes Larson would leave his gun at home and participate.

Since they differ on many issues, Golden said it would have been good for them to discuss and debate during the forum.

"I think it would be great if people had a chance to hear both our viewpoints," he said. "I'm sorry this seems to be getting in the way."

He said he respects Larson's decision if it is truly based on his principles.

The keynote speaker at the talk radio forum will be Michael Krasny, Ph.D., the host of "Forum," a daily news and public affairs program on KQED-FM, in San Francisco. The free forum will be at 7 p.m. in Stevenson Union's Rogue River Room.