A college professor posed a simple but piercing question to Idaho state legislators in a New York Times op-ed. "When may I shoot a student?" he asked.

"I have had encounters with disgruntled students over the years," he continued. "Some of whom seemed quite upset, but I always assumed that when they reached into their backpacks they were going for a pencil. Since I carry a pen to lecture, I did not feel outgunned; and because there are no working sharpeners in the lecture hall, the most they could get off is a single point. But now that we'll all be packing heat, I would like legal instruction in the rules of classroom engagement."

If you haven't figured it out by now, Gregory Hampikian is speaking sarcastically. The professor at Boise State University wrote the satirical piece in response to Idaho's Senate Bill 1254. The controversial law will allow students to carry concealed weapons on state campuses.

Students, law enforcement and the State Board of Education all rallied in opposition of the bill. Many worry that allowing firearms on to campus will create a far more dangerous environment than exists now, and will force colleges to waste money on costly security measures.

Professor Hampikian, who teaches biology and criminal justice, chose to write the comedic letter because he believed "comedy is really at the heart of intelligent discourse."

"While our city police chief has expressed grave concerns about allowing guns on campus," he writes. "I would point out that he already has one. I'm glad that you were not intimidated by him, and did not allow him to speak at the public hearing on the bill (though I really enjoyed the 40 minutes you gave to the National Rifle Association spokesman).

Hampikian believes that the state is not truly concerned with students' safety, but rather wants to appeal to the NRA.

"This has everything to do with a certain view of the Second Amendment and a narrowing view of a lobbying organization called the NRA," said Hampikian to the Huffington Post. There was no safety threat on campus. There was no incident that triggered this."