Ray LaMontagne Cancels UT Show Over Gun Law
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AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne canceled a Thursday show at the University of Texas in protest of the new Campus Carry Law that allows concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into public college buildings.
The law allows those weapons into the university's Bass Concert Hall, where LaMontagne was scheduled to perform.
In a statement canceling the show, LaMontagne said he considers himself "very open minded" but he can't support allowing guns on college campuses.
"There are a lot of things this country needs more of, but guns aren't one of them," said LaMonatagne.
A university statement said school officials regret the cancellation but respect LaMontagne's decision.
The Students for Concealed Carry director for the state of Texas, Brian Bensimon said in a statement:
"It's likely that Mr. LaMontagne has performed at numerous venues that allow concealed carry without even realizing it. The cancellation of this concert has less to do with the uniqueness of UT-Austin's firearms policy than with political grandstanding and the self-fulfilling nature of activists' predictions that campus carry will have an adverse effect on campus life."
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