AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Half a century ago, a sniper perched on a University of Texas tower unleashed a killing spree that left 16 dead, and for the first time since then the school will hold an official memorial for an event that shocked the nation.
But overshadowing the anniversary of the Aug. 1, 1966 tower shooting is the start of a new law backed by Republican lawmakers to allow more guns in more places at public universities.
The lawmakers say the "campus carry" law, which goes into effect August 1, could prevent another mass shootings, while many survivors of the university tower shooting half a century ago see it as a chillingly wrong-headed approach that could spark more killing.
The campus carry law allows those over 21 with a concealed handgun permit to take guns into classrooms and several parts of the campus.