AUSTIN, Texas — Following the pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas at Austin on April 29, police have charged a 26-year-old man with a felony after he allegedly brought a gun onto UT's campus.
The Austin Police Department (APD) charged Michael Maule of San Marcos with a third-degree felony charge of bringing a weapon where it's prohibited.
After he was detained, it was revealed that Maule had a loaded gun in his waistband, unholstered; two loaded magazines; and a pocket knife. One of the officers took the gun from him and located one bullet in the chamber. The gun was identified as a Taurus G3C .40 caliber pistol.
Maule did not have a License to Carry, which is required by someone in possession of a firearm at a public university in Texas. Another man who was armed was also detained, but there is no information on his status.
The news about the charge comes after nearly 80 arrests were made during the April 29 protest. Those arrested face charges ranging from criminal trespassing, to obstructing a highway or passageway, to interfering with public duties.
Some Austin city leaders say the arrests are overwhelming Travis County's legal system, leading others to wonder what rules were broken by protesters at UT.
According to the university, 11 "known violations of Institutional Rules" were committed during the April 24 and April 29 protests. They also said guns found at the protest were open carry and visible, even though the university would not share any photos of them.
What is UT's campus carry rule?
In 2015, Senate Bill 11 allowed those licensed to carry to bring a concealed handgun onto university campuses. It also gave public universities discretion to regulate campus carry.
Those with a license to carry are eligible to carry a concealed handgun on campus if they're 21 or older. They must also clear eligibility requirements like a criminal background, mental health history and substance abuse issues.
Concealed carry is "generally" allowed in outdoor areas as well as buildings and spaces accessible to the public. However, "a license holder may not carry a partially or wholly visible handgun on campus premises or on any university driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
Read more about the pro-Palestine protests at UT Austin:
- 'It becomes very divisive' | Senior at UT Austin reflects on protests ahead of graduation
- 'Tremendous strain on our criminal justice resources' | Travis County Attorney addresses arrests at UT protest
- Protesters gather outside Travis County Jail after another rally on UT Austin's campus
- After UT Austin arrests, Texas State students also participate in pro-Palestine sit-in
- UT Austin protestors do not meet standards to be charged after Wednesday's demonstration