Wisconsin Student Sues Principal Who Banned His Gun T-Shirts

WISCONSIN — A Wisconsin High School freshman is suing his high school in federal court, claiming his First Amendment rights were violated when he was banned - and later punished - for wearing T-shirts depicting a variety of guns to class.

According to multiple reports, including the Daily Mail, Markesan high school student Matthew Schoenecker was ordered to either change or cover the graphics on his T-shirts - or face a day in a windowless isolation room with no interaction or instruction from teachers.

According to a USA Today report, two of Schoenecker's shirts drew the attention of school officials: one with a variety of weapons and the words 'Celebrate Diversity' and another that spells out "LOVE" with a handgun, a grenade, two knives and an assault rifle.

One day after being issued the warning from his principal, John Koopman, he wore the shirt that said "LOVE," and was promptly sent to the isolation room after he refused to take off the shirt.

According to a Wisconsin Public Radio report this week, Nik Clark, president of Wisconsin Carry, the gun advocacy group funding Schoenecker's legal challenge, said the school's response to the freshman's shirts is different from its response to students who protested after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

"The students that wanted to walk out of class were given the opportunity to go to the gymnasium to have their walkout protest, and that was sanctioned," Clark said in the WPR report. "And yet here, a student who's going about his daily business, carrying on with his classwork, he was told he couldn't wear a shirt that was supportive of guns."

According to the lawsuit, which was reportedly filed in the U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Wisconsin, claims that the principal violated Schoenecker's freedom of expression by banning him from wearing clothing that showed firearms in a "non-violent, non-threatening manner."

In a WISN Report this week, Matthew Schoenecker's father Brian said he is supportive of his son, "it was his choice, whether he wears it or not. He decided 'I'm gonna wear this. It's my right.' When I heard about it, I was a little upset of course, and said we got to get down there and see what's going on."

Image Via Youtube Screenshot