Concealed Weapons Policy

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to adopt and implement Kansas law and Board of Regents policy on weapons possession and to direct the creation and implementation of campus specific procedures at Pittsburg State University.

Applies to: This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors of Pittsburg State University.

Statement:
The possession and use of firearms, explosives, and other weapons are prohibited on the campus of Pittsburg State University (PSU), with the limited exception of concealed handguns as provided in this policy. This policy describes how handguns may be carried, stored, and managed on the campus of PSU in the safest manner possible. This policy is in accordance with the Kansas Board of Regents Policy and state law, K.S.A.75-7c01, et seq.

Policy:

I.  Geographic Applicability

This policy is applicable only within the geographical limits of the Pittsburg State University campus. Campus is defined as any building or grounds owned by PSU or any building or grounds leased by PSU for state university use.

II.  Definitions
Weapons:
1. Any object or device which will, is designed to, or may be readily converted to expel bullet, shot or shell by the action of an explosive or other propellant;
2. Any handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun or other firearm of any nature, including those that are concealed or openly carried;
3. Any BB gun, pellet gun, air/C'02 gun, any Taser or similar electrical weapon that discharges a projectile, or blow gun;
4. Any explosive, incendiary or poison gas (A) bomb, (B) mine, (C) grenade, (D) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, or (E) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than 1/4 ounce;
5. Any incendiary or explosive material, liquid, solid, or mixture equipped with a fuse, wick or other detonating device;
6. Any tear gas bomb or smoke bomb; however, personal self-defense items containing mace or pepper spray shall not be deemed to be a weapon for the purposes of this policy;
7. Any knife, commonly referred to as a switch-blade, which as a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife, or any knife having a blade that opens or falls or is ejected into position by the force of gravity or by an outward, downward or centrifugal thrust or movement;

8.Any straight-blade knife of four inches or more such as a dagger, dirk, dangerous knife or stiletto; except that an ordinary pocket knife or culinary knife designed for and used solely in the preparation or service of food shall not be construed to be a weapon for the purposes of this policy;
• A firearm cannot be carried by an individual who is or has been a mentally ill person subject to involuntary commitment [K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(13)];
• A firearm cannot be carried by an individual with an alcohol or substance abuse problem subject to involuntary commitment [K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(13)];
• A firearm cannot be carried by an individual who has been convicted of a felony crime [K.S.A. 21-6304];
• An automatic firearm cannot be carried [K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(5)];
• Any cartridge which can be fired by a handgun and which as a plastic-coated bullet that has a core of less than 60% lead by weight, whether the person knows or has reason to know that the plastic-coated bullet has a core of less than 60% lead by weight is illegal [K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(6)];
• Any device or attachment of any kind designed, used or intended for use in suppressing the report of any firearm is illegal [K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(4)].

III.  Carrying Safety Requirements

Any individual who is 18 years of age or older and who is lawfully eligible to carry a concealed handgun is wholly and solely responsible for carrying, storing, and using that handgun in a safe manner and in accordance with the Kansas Law, Kansas Board of Regents Policy and University policy. Concealed means completely hidden from view and does not reveal the weapon in any way, shape or form.

Whether on their person or in a personal carrier, every handgun carried by an individual must be secured in a holster that completely covers the trigger and the entire trigger guard area and that secures any external hammer in an un-cocked position. The handgun must be secured in the holster with a strap or by other means of retention. The holster must have sufficient tension or grip on the handgun to retain it in the holster even when subjected to unexpected jostling.

Handguns with an external safety must be carried with the safety in the "on" position. The handgun must be in the person's custody and control at all times with safety mechanism engaged. Handguns must be carried securely in a suitable carrier (backpack, purse, handbag, or other personal carrier designed and intended for the carrying of an individual's personal items). The suitable carrier must at all times remain within the exclusive and uninterrupted control of the individual. This includes wearing the carrier with one or more straps consistent with the carriers design, carrying or holding the carrier, or setting the carrier next to or within the immediate reach of the individual.

IV.  Campus Gun-Free Locations with Adequate Security Measures

There are no University locations designated as gun free with permanent adequate security measures. The University may designate a specific location as temporarily gun free and use temporary adequate security measures as defined and required by law and Kansas Board of Regents Policy. Appropriate notice will be given whenever this temporary designation is made.

V.  Handgun Storage

Handgun storage is prohibited at PSU except in the following circumstances: (1) in an individual's privately-owned or leased motor vehicle when the vehicle is locked and the handgun is secured in a location within the vehicle that is not visible from outside the vehicle; (2) in an individual's on-campus residential unit when the handgun is secured in a holster and in an approved storage device (see below).

Approved Storage Device

The University does not provide approved handgun storage devices to any person, under any circumstances. Each individual who stores a handgun in an on-campus residence must provide their own approved storage device.

An approved storage device meets the following criteria:
1. Is of sufficient size to fully enclose the handgun while secured in an approved holster (as defined in Section III).
2. Is constructed of sturdy materials that are non-flammable.
3. Has a combination, digital, or other secure locking device that can only be unlocked by the individual using the storage device. Devices secured exclusively with a key lock are prohibited.
4. Device is constructed specifically for the storage of a handgun and/or ammunition. All ammunition stored in an on-campus residence must be stored in an approved storage device.

Prohibited Storage

Storage of handguns is prohibited in the following:
1. In any University classroom, lab, office or facility;
2. In a residence hall, except in the residential unit of the individual who is at least 21 years of age, legally owns the handgun, and has the handgun secured in an approved storage device;
3. In a motor vehicle that is unlocked or when the handgun is visible from the outside of the vehicle;
4. In any other location or under any circumstances except as specifically permitted by this policy or the state or federal law.

VI.  Violations Process

All suspected weapons policy violations will be reported to the University Police.

Initial investigations will be conducted by University Police to determine if University or Kansas Board of Regents policy has been violated. If the investigation determines a crime has been committed, a separate criminal investigation will be conducted, unrelated to policy.

If university policy has allegedly been violated, the matter will be reported to the Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment Team.

When there is probable cause to believe that a weapons policy violation has occurred, or continued possession and carrying by the alleged policy violator will create imminent danger to self or others, University Police have authority to disarm and/or temporarily confiscate a firearm and issue a restriction to not carry a concealed firearm on campus pending results of the investigation.

The President, or his or her designee, may taken any temporary action as determined necessary to ensure the safety of the University and of its students and personnel. Any individual who violates one or more provisions of this policy may be issued a lawful directive to leave campus with the weapon immediately. Any individual who violates the directive shall be considered to be in trespass and may be cited accordingly. Any employee or student of the university who violates one or more provisions of this policy shall be subject to discipline in accordance with applicable University codes of conduct. Any individual who violates state or
federal law may be detained, arrested, or otherwise subjected to lawful processes appropriate to the circumstances.