Timber Creek Student's Shirt Depicting AR-15 Draws Controversy

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — In the aftermath of the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the issue of gun control and school security has once again surged to the center of the news cycle.

Much of the news has centered on student efforts to keep guns out of schools and make schools more secure. Locally, though, another side of the issue was raised recently.

A student at Timber Creek Regional High School in Gloucester Township was asked to leave class after wearing a shirt that read, “Come And Take It” and featured a picture of an AR-15 on it, according to his father.

Tom Crone said his son was asked by a teacher to turn his shirt inside out, and when he refused, was told to leave class. He wore the shirt as a silent protest during the National Stand Up For Our Rights protest. This was a school walkout for students who wished to show their support for the Second Amendment on May 2.

Crone called the incident an abuse of power on the part of the school district, and went before the Black Horse Pike Regional School District Board of Education last week to question them on the dress code policy.

The district doesn’t comment on specific student matters, Black Horse Pike Board of Education Solicitor Dan Long said. He referred Patch to the dress code policy, saying the district “stands behind its dress code.”

The policy, which can be found here, states “clothing which causes a disruption or distraction may not be worn.” A separate clause prohibits students from wearing clothing with messages that favor “substance abuse, illegal activities, violence, firearms or intolerance.”

The policy was established in 1988, and updated in December of last year, according to the policy posted on the school's website. Crone said the policy changed because his son wore the shirt, and that it wasn't a violation of the policy at the time.

The student said the slogan on his shirt has historical significance, as it was used at the Battle of Gonzalez in 1835 during the Texas Revolution. It was first used in the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC by Spartan King Leonidas I in his last stand against the Persian Army.

Crone has also pointed to a statement from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) concerning student walkouts and free speech in schools.

“School officials may believe that talking about topics like abortion or gun control are too controversial, divisive, or in ‘bad taste,’ but they cannot censor those topics unless it also falls within” certain exceptions, according to the statement. The possibility that the speech could “cause substantial disruption to the operation of the school” is one of those exceptions, with the other concerning vulgarity.
School officials agreed to meet with the student concerning the issue.

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Crone appeared at the school board meeting less than a week after students at the district’s three high schools participated in the “We Unite For Safety” rally at Veterans Park in Gloucester Township. The rally was put together in the name of common sense gun laws, and received the support of the school district and local officials. Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer and Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-4) both spoke during that rally.

Tom Crone said he supported their right to hold a rally and voice their opinions, but found it hypocritical that his son’s free speech rights were not respected, and that the school board changed a policy because of his son's actions.

“The difference is I will sacrifice my life so that their voices can be heard, but they will sacrifice my life so that my voice will not be heard,” Crone said.

Patch file photo

See related:

Students Continue Fight For Gun Safety In Gloucester Township

March For Our Lives In South Jersey Saturday