When Liberty University’s president said he wanted students to arm themselves, he wasn’t kidding.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.

More than 200 attend Liberty University weapons course

More than 200 people poured into a free Liberty University course on carrying concealed weapons a week after university President Jerry Falwell Jr. encouraged students to seek permits to counter any possible armed assault on the campus.

About 220 people attended the class Thursday night at the Liberty University School of Law.

The course’s popularity was far greater than previous times it had been offered, when 40 to 50 people had attended, said Liberty University Police Chief Richard D. Hinkley.

“I think it’s amazing,” Hinkley said.

On Dec. 4, Falwell recommended that students at the Christian school arm themselves, following the Dec. 2 mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., that left 14 dead.

“Let’s teach them a lesson if they ever show up here,” Falwell told a convocation crowd of thousands.

Then, on Wednesday, Falwell said he is working to appeal the policy forbidding students from carrying their guns in residence halls.

Hinkley’s presentation, a course the university has offered since 2010, covered everything from core safety rules to firearms maintenance and Virginia law.