Concealed Carry on Campus

In recent years, college and university policies prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons on campus have attracted attention from gun rights advocates and state legislators who believe concealed weapons permit holders should not be barred from bringing a gun to campus. 

 In 2011, the legislatures of 23 states considered bills that would have allowed concealed carry at institutions of higher education. Most were defeated or failed to garner enough support to reach a vote. 

• Mississippi passed a bill that would allow concealed weapons on college and university campuses, but it conflicts with other provisions of state law that exempt educational facilities and it is not clear how this contradiction will be reconciled. 
• Wisconsin passed a statute permitting carry of concealed weapons for the first time in 2011. While higher education institutions lobbied to be on the list of locations where permit holders are not allowed to carry weapons, a compromise was struck that left the campus grounds open to concealed carry, but gives colleges and universities the option to ban concealed weapons from buildings, but only if they post signage indicting so. 
• A similar regulation was adopted by George Mason University in Virginia and was upheld by the Virginia Supreme Court. 
• Utah is the only state that has a state law specifically allowing for concealed carry on all public university campuses in the state. 
• A 2011 court decision in Oregon has opened its public university campuses to concealed weapons.

This issue is expected to stay on the agenda at state capitols and at university governing boards. Below are resources for information and advocacy on concealed carry on campus:

• NASPA Student Affairs & Law Policy Conference Handout on Concealed Carry on Campus and Additional Resources
• NASPA Statement on Campus Safety
• Enough is Enough Policy Recommendations
• Statement of International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
• Statement of Association of College and University Housing Officers - International
• Students for Concealed Carry on Campus
• The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus