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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, July 1, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 2, 2004 Morning-show hosts back Larson on guns By BILL CHOY Mail Tribune Talk show hosts Rosemary and Garth Harrington may decline to participate in a public forum at Southern Oregon University in protest of rules that won’t allow fellow host Lars Larson to bring his concealed weapon onto campus. The Medford couple said Monday they still plan to broadcast live from SOU on Wednesday morning as part of a daylong "Talk Radio Marathon." The marathon is part of the Thomas W. Pyle First Amendment Forum. Rosemary Harrington said "it’s up in the air" whether she and her husband will participate in the evening forum, which will focus on the impact of talk radio. "We’ll see what happens," she said. "I think the university is totally wrong. ... He has a license. The law is very clear. It’s unfortunate they’re making an issue out of it." Harrington said the couple plan to make a decision by today. Advertisement The Harringtons broadcast "Morning Express" each weekday on KCMX 880 AM. Both have concealed gun permits. Rosemary Harrington said she carries her sub-nose .38 in her handbag only once in a while. She started carrying a concealed weapon after receiving threats from listeners enraged over her talk show. The Harringtons said they don’t plan to bring a concealed weapon onto campus, however. "I’m not going to force the issue in that fashion," said Garth Harrington. "At this stage of the game, I’m going to take the calmer (path). ... I think it’s our job now to go and carry water for him." The Harringtons said they received more than 40 calls on the issue on their Monday show. All but one was in support of Larson, they said. The controversy began on Friday when the university announced that it rescinded an offer to Larson, a conservative talk show host from Portland, to take part in the forum because he refused to leave his weapon off campus. Two weeks ago, SOU journalism professor Paul Steinle, who is organizing the forum, learned that Larson carries a concealed weapon. SOU policy and Oregon Administrative Rules, which govern the State Board of Higher Education, prohibit firearms on the campuses of the state’s seven public universities. Larson had said the university is violating his Second Amendment rights. He has had a concealed weapon permit for almost 10 years. On Monday afternoon, Larson said in a phone interview that he has had numerous phone calls and e-mails in support. He compared himself to civil rights activist Rosa Parks refusing to ride in the back of the bus. "It’s about my civil rights," Larson said. "They (should) admit they’re violating people’s rights and back down ... and admit visitors and students on campus (with a concealed weapon permit), and allow them to do what state law allows them to do." He reiterated those statements on his Web page. "Some people have asked me why I don’t just compromise and leave it at home," Larson wrote. "Should Rosa Parks have taken that seat in the back of the bus? She would have gotten home just as fast. The answer is no. She had a civil right to ride in front of the bus ... and I have a civil right to carry a gun." Larson said he is considering filing a lawsuit. He has said Section 27 of the Oregon Constitution and Oregon Statues 166-170 guarantees his right to carry a concealed weapon in any public location except for state and municipal courtrooms. The only government entity that can regulate any aspect of firearm possession is the state Legislature, he said. Ron Bolstad, vice president of administration and finance at SOU, said the university has offered Larson an armed officer at the school’s expense to make him feel more protected. "That would be a compromise," Bolstad said. "We do want him to participate on Wednesday." Steinle said Larson declined the offer. Steinle said it’s too bad the controversy is taking away from the forum’s design — a discussion on the First Amendment, and the role and impact talk radio has in this country. "It seems like we’re diverging from what the forum is about," Steinle said. "The First Amendment, and it deserves our attention." Bill Choy is a reporter for the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. 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