Gun rights group’s mock mass shooting moved off Texas college campus

A gun rights group planned to conduct a mock mass shooting this weekend at the University of Texas in an effort to end gun-free zones, the Austin American-Statesman reported, but the location has since been moved.

According to Matthew Short of the groups "Come and Take It Texas" and DontComply.com, the organizers of the demonstration, the mock mass shooting will involve actors being shot by perpetrators armed with cardboard weapons.

"It's a fake mass shooting, and we'll use fake blood," he said.

To give participants an authentic experience similar to an actual live shooting, organizers said gun noises will be blared from bullhorns and some participants will be playing the role of rescuers, also armed with cardboard weapons. 

After the university said the mock shooting could be considered criminal trespass, the groups moved the demonstration to a nearby street.

According to Murdoch Pizgatti, founder of the organizing groups, “we will move forward with the event on the adjacent public land using UT as the backdrop."

Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @caitiesmith