POLICY 7-5
WEAPONS PROHIBITED ON CAMPUS

• Issued: 11-3-98
• Revised: 9-19-05
• Approved:
  

I. GENERAL

The possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, incendiary devices, and other weapons anywhere on the Fort Lewis College campus is inconsistent with and seriously undermines the academic mission of Fort Lewis College.  Such possession creates a threat to the safety and welfare of students, employees and visitors on the Fort Lewis College campus, threatens the tranquility of the educational environment on the campus in an intimidating way, and contributes in an offensive manner to an unacceptable climate of violence.

Therefore, the possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, incendiary devices, or other weapons on the Fort Lewis College campus is prohibited.  A "weapon" shall include anything likely to be used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating, or injuring a person or property; an instrumentality designed or likely to produce bodily harm or property damage; or an instrument by the use of which a fatal wound may probably or possibly be given or damage to property may be inflicted.  A "weapon” may include, but is not limited to, the following: any firearm, BB gun, pellet gun, ammunition, bow and arrow, cross-bow, slingshot, cross-knuckles, knuckles of lead, brass or other metal, any bowie knife, dirk, dagger or similar knife, or any knife having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade of which can be opened by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle or other mechanical contrivance.  This policy is not intended to include standard cosmetic, wardrobe or convenience items such as tweezers, nail clippers, scissors, pocket knives with blades three and half inches in length or less, or belts and belt buckles.

The following is also expressly included within the meaning of a “weapon” under this policy: (1) An unloaded firearm or gun of any sort, or (2) a harmless instrumentality designed to look like a firearm, explosive, or other weapon which is used by or is in the possession of a person with the intent to cause fear in or assault to another person.  When in doubt about whether an item is a “weapon,” persons are expected to contact the Fort Lewis College Police Department for assistance.

This policy applies to all Fort Lewis College students, employees (faculty and staff) and contractors or visitors on the Fort Lewis College campus and to all property, facilities, buildings, residence halls, and motor vehicles on the Fort Lewis College campus. In addition, this policy applies to all College vehicles—whether on or off campus.

II. EXCEPTIONS

The only exceptions to this policy are as follows:

1. Fort Lewis College Police Officers.

2. Employees or consultants who are using the above items for instructional purposes and/or secured collections of weapons (e.g., Center of Southwest Studies). To obtain approval to bring such items or collections to campus, the person requesting this permission must contact the Fort Lewis College Police.  Any weapon brought for instructional purposes must be unloaded and locked or secured so as to render it unusable while on the Fort Lewis College campus.  If there are any questions, the Fort Lewis College Police should be contacted.

3. Level I Peace Officers currently employed by other agencies must have valid credentials on their person. These credentials need not be displayed, but must be presented upon request of a Fort Lewis College Police Officer.

4. Persons doing security work must obtain prior approval from the Fort Lewis College Police Department.

III.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH WEAPONS POLICY

This policy is intended to clearly state expected standards of personal conduct for employees, students, and visitors on the Fort Lewis College campus.  The consequences of any violation of this policy may include, but are not limited to, the following actions:  Termination and/or disciplinary action (faculty and staff), suspension or expulsion (students), removal from the campus, designation of the violator as persona non grata, and/or criminal or civil proceedings

IV. REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY  

Governor's Executive Order on Workplace Violence -D001096 - August 1996

Possession of a firearm or weapon of any kind, including those defined by Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) Title 18, Article 12, is prohibited at work, including in a state vehicle, except when such possession is a necessary requirement of an employee’s job, or is approved by an appointing authority.

C.R.S. § 18-12-105.5

Unlawfully carrying a weapon—unlawful possession of weapons—school, college, or university grounds. (1) A person commits a felony if such person knowingly and unlawfully and without legal authority carries, brings, or has in such person's possession a deadly weapon as defined in section 18-1-901(3)(e) in or on the real estate and all improvements erected thereon of any public or private elementary, middle, junior high, or high school or any public or private college, university, or seminary, except for the purpose of presenting an authorized public demonstration or exhibition pursuant to instruction in conjunction with an organized school or class, for the purpose of carrying out the necessary duties and functions of an employee of an educational institution which require the use of a deadly weapon, or for the purpose of participation in an authorized extracurricular activity or on an athletic team.

College Policy 4-19 - Promoting a Non-Violent Campus Environment