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University of Texas Students Rally Against Gun Law With Sex Toys

Hundreds of University of Texas students waved sex toys at a campus rally during the first day of classes, protesting a new state law that allows concealed handguns in college classrooms, buildings and dorms.

"It's something that has made me nervous personally," said Stephanie Davidson.

Organizers said the sex toys were used Wednesday to mock what they consider an absurd notion that guns should be allowed in academic settings. The law took effect Aug. 1.

"The goal is to get Texas lawmakers' attention and let them know we are unhappy with the new law that has passed," said Ian Sims.

But not everyone opposes open carry on campus.

"I feel safer, with my neighbors and myself, if we choose to go through a rigorous licensing process to have guns," said senior Forrest Sullivan.

Students and faculty at the Austin campus fiercely opposed allowing license holders to carry their concealed handguns to class. One prominent dean left the school after the law passed in 2015. Several faculty members attended the rally.

"We are kind of making a statement by putting them on our backpacks and not taking them off until guns are no longer allowed in our classrooms," said student Cassandra Perez.

Organizers said they distributed more than 4,500 free sex toys.

Texas has allowed concealed carry since 1995 but had kept college campuses gun-free until this year.

NBC 5's Julie Fine contributed to this report.

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