Weapons on Campus

Policy 4.14 · Adopted 2004 · Last revised 2022 · Responsible office: Department of Campus Safety, in consultation with the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration · Next review 2027

A person who sees a weapon displayed or used in a threatening manner calls 911 first, then notifies Campus Safety at ext. 2911.

1. Scope

This policy applies to students, employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors, on all property owned, leased, or controlled by the College, including the Corliss Pike campus, its lots, Barn Complex B, the Shop Building, and the Aviation and Heavy Equipment Annex, and at College-sponsored activities wherever held. At a practicum, clinical, or apprenticeship site, and at facilities the College uses under agreement, the policy of the site also applies, and the more restrictive rule governs.

In this policy, a weapon is a firearm, including an unloaded or inoperable firearm; ammunition; an explosive or incendiary device; a dangerous ordnance; an electronic stun device; and any knife, blade, club, or other object carried, possessed, or used as a weapon. Whether an object is a weapon depends on how it is carried and used, and a tool of a trade carried for instruction is not a weapon under this policy.

2. General prohibition

Weapons are prohibited in all College buildings and on all College property, except as stated in Sections 3 and 4. The prohibition includes possession, carry, storage, display, and use, whether open or concealed.

Under Ohio Revised Code 2923.126, a person may not carry a concealed handgun onto premises owned or leased by a public institution of higher education unless the institution’s board of trustees has authorized it. The Board of Trustees of the College has not authorized it. This applies to a person who holds a concealed handgun license and to a person otherwise permitted by Ohio law to carry a concealed handgun. Notice of the prohibition is posted at the entrances to College buildings as provided in Ohio Revised Code 2923.1212.

3. Firearms in private vehicles

As provided in Ohio Revised Code 2923.1210, the College does not prohibit a person who is lawfully permitted to carry a handgun from transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition in a privately owned motor vehicle in a College lot, if the person is in the vehicle, or if the firearm and ammunition are locked in the trunk, glove box, or another enclosed compartment or container within or on the vehicle while the vehicle is in a lot where the person is permitted to be. The firearm is not removed from the vehicle except to leave College property, and is not displayed. This section does not permit a firearm in a College-owned vehicle.

4. Exceptions

The following are permitted only as stated, only under the supervision listed, and only for the instructional, athletic, or official purpose described. An exception does not extend to any other building, area, or purpose.

4.1 Coed Rifle and the Sub-Level Range

Rifles and ammunition owned by the College are stored in the locked storage of the Sub-Level Range and do not leave the range except for travel to a match, in locked cases, in a vehicle assigned by the Department of Athletics. A team member may store a personal smallbore or air rifle in range storage with the approval of the Head Coach. A personal rifle is brought to and from the range unloaded, with the action open or a chamber flag inserted, in a locked case, by the most direct route from a College lot to the range elevator, and is not opened outside the range.

Live fire occurs only while a range officer designated by the Head Coach is present. The range is closed and locked when no range officer is present. Community use of the range by county 4-H shooting sports and by scout troops occurs under the supervision agreements described at Community Use of Facilities, and minors use the range only as provided in Policy 6.55, Minors on Campus. Eye and hearing protection is required for every person in the range during live fire.

4.2 Coed Clay Target

The clay target team practices and competes at the Tolliver Sportsmen’s Club, which is not College property, under the Club’s rules and range officers. The College does not store shotguns or shotgun ammunition on College property. A team member’s shotgun may be in a private vehicle in a College lot only as permitted in Section 3, and is not brought into any College building, including for cleaning, inspection, or storage between practices.

4.3 Stage combat and replica firearms

Stage weapons used in STG courses and in Division performances are unsharpened, have blunted edges and rounded points, and are owned by the College. They are inventoried and stored in the locked stage combat weapons cage, inspected before every class meeting and rehearsal, and logged. A weapon that fails inspection is removed from use. Students do not bring personal swords, blades, or other weapons to class, rehearsal, or performance.

Replica firearms are non-firing. Blank-firing guns, starter pistols, and any device capable of discharging a projectile or a blank are not used in instruction or performance on College property. Stage weapons and replica firearms are carried between the cage and the rehearsal or performance space in closed cases and are not displayed in corridors, lots, or outdoor areas. The Department of Campus Safety is notified at least five business days before any outdoor rehearsal, exhibition, or performance in which stage weapons or replica firearms will be visible, and notifies the Tolliver Township Police Department.

4.4 Instructional tools

Culinary knife kits, cosmetology shears, farrier tools, welding and fabrication tools, and other tools required by a program are carried in their kits or cases to and from the instructional space where they are used and are not otherwise carried on the person. Pyrotechnic and report devices used in Mounted Patrol Equine Conditioning are handled only by instructors, under the Division’s protocol and the applicable fire code.

5. What this policy does not authorize

6. Personal defense sprays

A person 18 or older may carry a personal defense spray in a container of four ounces or less for personal protection. A personal defense spray is not carried in the Sub-Level Range, Barn Complex B, the Reptile House, or any kitchen.

7. Reporting and response

A person who sees a weapon displayed or used in a threatening manner calls 911 first, then notifies Campus Safety. Other concerns about a weapon on College property are reported to Campus Safety at ext. 2911 or through any reporting route at Report a Concern.

The Department of Campus Safety is a non-sworn department. Its officers do not carry firearms and do not confront a person who is armed. Response to a person with a weapon is provided by the Tolliver Township Police Department and, at the Annex, by the Tolliver County Sheriff’s Office, under the memoranda of understanding described at Campus Safety.

8. Violations

A violation by a student is addressed under the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 5.30); by an employee, under the employee handbook; and by a visitor, by direction to leave College property. The Dean of Students may impose an interim restriction pending resolution. A violation of this policy may also be an offense under Ohio law and may be referred to law enforcement. Weapons law arrests and disciplinary referrals are reported in the Annual Security Report.

This policy summarizes provisions of the Ohio Revised Code as they apply to the College. It does not state the law in full and is not legal advice. A person who is unsure whether the law permits them to possess or transport a firearm is responsible for determining that before coming to College property.