judging folks by the content of their character.

go near a gun."

Hi, projection!

This professor seems incapable of putting aside her own biases when it comes to writing a professional recommendation. If she can't write a recommendation for Sarah (it's unclear whether Sarah's abilities and merits would earn her one) because of what she knows about Sarah's interests, maybe she should screen everyone who comes to her for a recommendation about their beliefs.

... by the notion that lifting bans on campus carry somehow raises the risk of a mass shooting, as if the person who would contemplate such a heinous act would be in any way deterred by such a ban.

I'm a teacher. I shoot recreationally. I have a CCW permit, and I sometimes carry -- always within the law. I know a good number of teachers who do the same. I also know a good number of teachers who should never have gotten their credentials in the first place. The two sets do not overlap.

Just my experience, offered in contrast to Myrtle Lynn Paine's unfounded paranoia.

It is one thing for a teacher to have this freedom so that she/he has the security and freedom to deal with unpopular even controversial subjects. But that freedom must be respected for their students as well. How can any student understand the power and necessity of academic freedom when they do not share in that freedom? How can anyone expect a future defense of that freedom when they have been denied it? This to say nothing of the instant instructor's evident prejudice and fears.

Expelled from their positions for prejudice and looking for a new line of work.

Easy, just be honest and calmly tell your student that you're a bigot that judges people, not on the content of their character, their behavior and performance, but on your own petty fears and ignorant prejudices.

Hopefully she'll find someone less judgemental with far better character to ask for a reference.

if she overheard a student discussing her support/opposition to abortion, political candidates, LGBT...

There is one clear tell in the article that inadvertently highlights it is simply discrimination:

Makes me wonder of this "professor" would be as suitably outraged at the idea of discriminating against someone for their faith, skin color, or gender identity.

Or if she's just decided that this particular form of bigotry and discrimination is approved by some people.

Why does logic and reason fly out the window when the subject of firearms and self defense comes up?

I had a concealed carry license the entire time I was a teacher.

The fact that I was a firearms enthusiast never crossed paths with my career. (See below for exceptions)

I even took the principal and several administrators shooting several times.

We met at a range near my house in the suburbs.

Except for the principal, all of my guests to the range were newbies (city types) and they had a great time.

The principal was a southern lady who had moved to NY to finish college and stayed.

Damn, could she shoot!

(Full disclosure - yes, I even took students shooting, sort of. We went to Civil War reenactments and they got to shoot blanks.)

I became friendly with one of the reenactors and he would bring accoutrements and rifles to the school.

In NYC.

There was never a problem. No one said anything except 'thank you for coming to our school.'