Gun dealer visits Virginia Tech

By Lindsey Henley
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: April 24, 2008

He wasn’t booed.  He wasn’t jeered.
Instead, the man who sold Sueng Hui Cho a handgun two months before the April 16th shootings was welcomed by a round of applause.
For less than an hour Thursday night, Eric Thompson talked to a group of about 60 Virginia Tech students.
He had one message.
“Students and people in the community should be able to protect themselves,” Thompson said.
By the show of supportive pins and empty gun holsters, it was obvious many of the students in attendance agreed.
“It’s about self defense.  We believe people should be able to defend themselves in what way is right for them,” Virginia Tech junior Heather Selbe said.
There was an increased police presence at the event.  Initially the student group contacted Virginia Tech Police to hire two officers, which is standard procedure for these type of events.  Due to media coverage of the rally, Virginia Tech Police brought more than 20 officers.
Each stood guard during Thompson’s speech, but he was met with little opposition.
Junior Jessi Schmale was one who came to protest with a t-shirt that read “guns kill”.
Schmale says that wasn’t her only reason for coming.
“I think it’s mildly disrespectful that he comes here,” Schmale said.
Thompson says he never wanted to cause trouble.
“I’m not here to offend anyone.  I feel for every parent and every family member who lost somebody.  Don’t vilify me, I have the same goal and that’s to avoid future loss and tragedy,” Thompson said.
Avoiding future tragedy is one thing everyone can agree on, but the best way to achieve it is still up for debate.