Monday, 16 February 2026

Come And Take It Texas On Fox News About Mock Massacre Protest At University Of Texas [Zg CzPPIBGI]

A provocative mock massacre protest at the University of Texas sparks a fierce debate over gun-free zones and the historical legacy of the Gonzales cannon.

UT Austin Gun-free zones Matthew Shortt Second Amendment Gonzales cannon Texas Revolution

By Mike Hanson Archives | 3m listen | 3 chapters

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Come And Take It Texas On Fox News About Mock Massacre Protest At University Of Texas [Zg CzPPIBGI] cover

About this episode

Matthew Shortt of Come and Take It Texas defends a controversial mock mass shooting protest scheduled near the University of Texas at Austin. The organization argues that gun-free zones create dangerous environments for students and faculty. Shortt claims these areas function as victim killing zones where the inalienable right to self-defense is stripped by legislative overreach.

Joan Neuberger of Gun for Utah characterizes the demonstration as a disrespectful tactic that exacerbates campus anxiety. The protest leverages the historical Texas Revolution slogan from the Battle of Gonzales to advocate for open carry rights across all public spaces. Shortt asserts that 95% of mass shootings occur in restricted areas and accuses politicians of using tragedies to regulate the Second Amendment. The group cites Thomas Paine to justify the necessity of offensive public discourse in the pursuit of honest political change.

Matthew Shortt clarifies the origins of the Gonzales cannon while addressing the intense public backlash to theatrical activism. The segment features a debate on whether provocative street theater effectively challenges university policy or merely alienates the local Austin community.

CHAPTER 01 / 3 Discussion

Come and Take It Texas Mock Mass Shooting Protest

Matthew Shortt of Come and Take It Texas discusses an open carry demonstration and mock mass shooting scheduled near the University of Texas at Austin. The organization argues that 95% of mass shootings occur in gun-free zones and aims to eliminate these areas to protect the inalienable right to self-defense. Critics, including Gun for Utah co-chair Joan Neuberger, characterize the event as disrespectful and counterproductive given the current climate of student anxiety.

matthew shortt· university of texas at austin· second amendment· gun-free zones· open carry

00:00 Well this afternoon, gun rights advocates will hold an open carry demonstration near the University of Texas at Austin that will end with a mock mass shooting. The goal they say is to put an end to gun-free zones which they believe endanger the public Is it in poor taste or is it important symbol of why the Second Amendment matters? Here to weigh in Matthew Shortt with Come and Take It Texas, the group behind the protest and the mock shooting. Matthew thanks for joining us this morning So what's the point of this The point is to show that 95% of mass shootings actually happen in gun-free zones. And we would like to end gun free zones here in America, there's an inalienable right to bear your arms which isn't the defense of our own persons and our property and our families Right that is the point of the Second Amendment Some people are saying even Second Amendment defenders are saying yeah but maybe it's counterproductive because it does seem in bad taste to stage a fake mass shooting

00:57 Don't comply.com and come and take it have been the founding organizations for the open carry movement here in Texas And we heard that when we went to the original March in Temple where we surrounded the police department In defense of CJ Grisham, and we heard that when we went to the Alamo with 2,000 people that backed us to support a second amendment and we ended up reversing 140 year Jim Crow law here in Texas and gain back another step towards our right to openly bear our arms. Here's a statement from Gun for Utah co-chair Joan Neuberger, anti gun group quote staging a mass shooting during an anxious time for students not only breaks rules but shows real disrespect for the feelings of those who don't want guns around them but it will be forced to put up with the public guns in public places in 2016 do you think this is going to win people over to your side?

CHAPTER 02 / 3 Discussion

Historical Origins of the Come and Take It Slogan

The phrase "Come and Take It" originated during the Texas Revolution in the town of Gonzales when residents refused to surrender a cannon to the Mexican army. While one speaker initially misattributes the slogan to a Civil War battle involving the British, the correction clarifies its role in the birth of Texas as a nation. The segment also references Thomas Paine's philosophy regarding the necessity of offending others to maintain honesty in public discourse.

gonzales cannon· texas revolution· thomas paine· mexican army· battle of gonzales

01:46 You know, we've heard this about on every different event that we've had. But I believe it was Thomas Paine who said he who dares not offend cannot be honest and we need to have a real honest conversation on national level about facts here Yeah and i should say come and take it is yeah I think as a reference to the famous Civil War battle where the American colonel said to the British come in take it uh... take the fort and they refused so this is a show of defiance in the spirit of that Yeah, it actually comes from Texas from the town of Gonzales and the Mexicans wanted to take the cannon from Gonzalez and Gonzalez said if you want our cannon You're gonna come and take it from us. Hmm how that worked out? I don't think it worked out too well for him because An amazing state and a nation was born which is Texas huh interesting so what kind of response are you getting in Texas Oh

CHAPTER 03 / 3 Discussion

Victim Killing Zones and Second Amendment Regulation

Matthew Shortt defines "victim killing zones" as locations where citizens are prohibited from carrying firearms and are unable to defend themselves during an attack. He argues that politicians use mass killings as a pretext to regulate the Second Amendment rather than addressing the vulnerability created by gun-free zones. The discussion concludes with a focus on the polarizing public response to these provocative protest tactics in Texas.

victim killing zones· gun control· mass killings· self-defense· second amendment

02:37 We're getting different responses all the way around. We have the critics that are upset with us and say we're offensive and that timing is off, but then we also have other people who are just patting us on the back saying amazing you guys are taking off for another great event and we support you will be there to walk with you In the end, this isn't really about manners whether or not this is in good taste or poor taste. There's another agenda here don't you think behind the anti-second amendment movement? What do you think that agenda is? You know, I really think myself that it's offensive that when these mass killings happen there are many politicians who would start to say they need to regulate our right to bear our arms. And i don't see how creating more victim killing zones is actually a way of controlling these situations. A victim killing zone is a place where nobody is armed and no one can defend themselves?

03:33 That's correct. Yes, all right. That's you short from come and take it appreciate your coming on this morning Thanks Thank You