Weapons

1.0    Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for the possession, use, and storage of firearms and other weapons on all properties owned, leased, and/or controlled by the college.

For Frequently Asked Questions about this policy, see our Weapons Policy FAQ. 

2.0    Revision History

3.0    Persons Affected

3.1    All Casper College employees and students

3.2    All campus visitors, contractors, volunteers, and guests

4.0    Policy

The policy of Casper College is to ensure the following:

4.1    The Board of Trustees prohibits the possession, storage, and use of  firearms and any other dangerous weapons on campus or at any college sponsored event, unless that individual has been issued a valid concealed  carry permit pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-104(a)(ii), or as otherwise outlined in  this policy.

4.2    The Board of Trustees prohibits open carry of firearms and any other dangerous weapons on campus or at any college-sponsored event.

4.3    The Board of Trustees directs and authorizes the President to develop  procedures regarding the implementation of this policy.

5.0    Definitions

5.1 College Property. Any physical property that is owned, leased and/or  controlled by the college. 

5.2 Concealed Carry. Carrying a firearm so that the firearm is not discernible  by ordinary observation and is located on or about the person or is in such  close proximity to the person that it is readily accessible for prompt use. 

5.3 Concealed Carry Permit. A Permit that has been issued pursuant to Wyo.  Stat. § 6-8-104(a)(ii). 

5.4 Concealed Firearm. Any pistol, revolver, or derringer, designed to be fired  by the use of a single hand, and which a permittee is authorized to carry  concealed. Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-104(a)(ii) and 6-8-104(y)(ii). 

5.5 Dangerous Weapons. Includes, but is not limited to, any object or  substance designed to or perceived to inflict a wound, cause injury, or  incapacitate including, but not limited to, all operable or inoperable firearms (or replicas), explosives, dangerous chemicals outside of laboratory settings, clubs  or other impact weapons, tasers or stun guns, swords, arrows, bows, martial  arts weapons, and knives designed or adapted for combat or use against  another person. 

5.5.1. Any knife, commonly referred to as a switchblade, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button,  spring or other device in the handle, or any knife having a blade that  opens or falls or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, is considered a dangerous weapon prohibited on campus by this policy. 

5.5.2. Any fixed-blade knife of four inches or more, with the exception of culinary knives designed for and solely used in the preparation and service of food, is considered a dangerous weapon prohibited on campus by this policy. 

5.5.3. For the purposes of this policy, dangerous weapons do not  include the following items, which are permissible on campus property: mace or other self-defense spray (less than 2 oz) and pocket knives with blades less than four inches in length. 

5.6 Exceptions. The President may grant an exception to the weapons policy.  Exceptions are for a limited period. Requests for a long-term, on-going exception will not be considered. The President’s exception authority does not extend to regulating concealed carry by permittees acting within their lawful  rights under Wyoming statutes. Exceptions may be granted for demonstration;  display; use in a college program, training, or event; or as a Theater Department production prop. Individuals must apply for an exception, provide verification of applicable training from a recognized training authority, and  assume all responsibility for weapons in their possession. 

5.7 Exemptions. Individuals exempt from this policy assume all responsibility  for the weapons that they bring on campus. Following are the exemptions to  this policy. 

5.7.1. Federal, state, or local law enforcement officers may  possess weapons that they are authorized to carry as part of their  employment. 

5.7.2. The Ranch Manager, and in their absence agriculture faculty or rodeo coaches who have responsibility for programs at the Ranch Campus, may possess a firearm at the Ranch Campus only for predator or pest control, protection of ranch animals, or to humanely care for an injured animal. They must provide the Human Resources (HR) Department with verification of Wyoming Hunter Safety certification to be authorized. 

5.7.3. Faculty who use college owned-weapons for a college program, training, or event or as a Theater Department production prop must provide Campus Security with verification of appropriate applicable weapons training. 

5.7.4. Campus Security Officers who have received less-than-lethal  weapons training (see Use of Force policy) are permitted to carry such  college-issued weapons while on duty. 

5.8 On or About the Person. Related to concealed carry, this means that the  firearm is in such close proximity to the person that it is readily accessible for  prompt use. A permittee may carry a holstered firearm in a backpack or handbag, so long as the permittee’s backpack or handbag is within their exclusive control and close enought to the permittee that the permittee can access the firearm promptly. 

5.9 Open Carry. Carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon in a manner visible  to others. 

5.10 Permittees. Those individuals who have been issued a valid concealed carry permit pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-104(a)(ii).

6.0    Responsibilities

6.1    The Campus Security Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy.

6.2    The President is responsible for granting or denying exceptions, and for developing procedures related to the implementation of this policy. 

7.0    Procedures

7.1    Concealed Carry Responsibilities

7.1.1. Permittees are personally responsible for any injury or damage resulting from the use or possession of their firearm. 

7.1.2. Nothing in this section should be construed to prevent college employees who are also permittees from concealed carrying in  a manner consistent with law. However, the college does not require that any employee become a permittee and assumes no liability for any injury or damage resulting from an employee-permittee’s use or possession of their firearm. 

7.1.3. Permittees must have their concealed carry permit along with valid identification on their person when they are concealed carrying a firearm. 

7.1.4. Permittees may not carry a partially or wholly visible firearm on campus property. 

7.1.5. Permittees who carry a handgun on campus must carry it always concealed and on or about their person or in such close proximity to the person that it is readily accessible for prompt use. 

7.1.6. While on campus property, permittees are required to keep the firearm in a holster that completely covers the trigger and entire trigger guard area. The holster must have sufficient tension or grip on  the handgun to retain it in the holster when the permittee is in motion.

7.1.7. Firearms with an external safety must be carried with the safety in the on position.

7.2    Storage

7.2.1.    Concealed Firearm Storage

7.2.1.1. When not carrying their firearm on or about their person, permittees must secure their firearm(s) as follows: 

7.2.1.1.1. In a concealed biometric container, or 

7.2.1.1.2. In a concealed lock box that has a high strength locking system consisting of a mechanical or electronic combination and not a key lock. Any container/lock box must be affixed to a wall or the floor and be large enough to fully contain all firearms placed in it and provide secure storage. 

7.2.1.2. When not carrying their firearm on our about their person, permittees residing in campus housing are required to store their firearm in the College-provided concealed biometric container or lock box located in their room or apartment. Permittees may also store their firearm with Campus Security (see 7.2.2.1). Concealed firearms belonging to permittees are teh only dangerous weapons allowed in campus housing.

7.2.2.   Storage of Other Weapons

7.2.2.1. Campus Security offers free storage of dangerous weapons to students residing in campus housing. Prior to bringing a weapon to campus, residential students must notify Campus Security that they need weapon storage  and will make an appointment to bring the weapon to the Campus Security office. 

7.2.2.2. Weapons stored by Campus Security must be unloaded and locked or secured. Campus Security does not store ammunition. 

7.2.2.3. Residential students may retrieve their weapons from Campus Security at a mutually agreed upon time. Campus Security reserves the right to deny the release  of a weapon for safety- or substance use-related concerns.

7.3   College Property

7.3.1. Permittees are allowed to have their firearms in any location on college property that is not expressly prohibited, including but not  limited to, outdoor areas, as well as buildings and spaces that are  accessible to the public. 

7.3.2. Permittees are allowed to carry in individual or private offices and classrooms. College employees and faculty/instructors may not impose a ban on concealed firearms by permittees in their  classrooms/offices.

7.4   Exclusion Areas. The following areas are prohibited areas for firearms  and other dangerous weapons, including for permittees: 

7.4.1. College athletic events where alcohol is being sold/tendered. 

7.4.2. College property where explosive or volatile materials are  present, in such amount, that may reasonably cause serious bodily injury due to the materials’ explosive or volatile nature. Some locations  on college property include but are not limited to: 

7.4.2.1. Welding laboratories 

7.4.2.2. Science laboratories with explosive or volatile materials 

7.4.2.3. Chemical storage rooms 

7.4.3. College property containing explosive or volatile materials may be marked with a conspicuous sign indicating firearms prohibited.  It is the responsibility of the permittee to know these locations. 

7.4.4. The Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), pursuant to  Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-105(d)(v). 

7.4.5. The Wellness Center, pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-105(d)(v).

7.4.6. Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or regulation or state law.

7.5    Violations

7.5.1.  College employees who perceive a hostile or unsafe environment should immediately call 911, and then Campus Security. College employees who witness a person in possession of a weapon whom they do not perceive to be an immediate threat should report the situation to Campus Security.

7.5.2.  Visitor, contractor, volunteers, or guest violation. A campus security officer will determine whether a person is eligible under the exemption clause to carry a weapon on campus. The campus security officer will instruct ineligible persons to immediately remove the weapon from campus. The campus security officer may contact local law enforcement for assistance.

7.5.3.  Employee violation. A campus security officer will instruct the employee to immediately remove the weapon from campus. Campus Security will notify the employee’s supervisor and HR of the violation. Failure to comply or repeated offenses may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

7.3.4.  Residential student violation. A campus security officer will escort the residential student to the Campus Security Office to place the weapon in storage. If the residential student refuses to comply, the campus security officer may contact local law enforcement for assistance. Students who fail to comply or commit repeated offenses may be subject to disciplinary action which may include suspension, dismissal from the college, or removal from college housing.

7.3.5.  Commuter student violation. A campus security officer will instruct commuter students to immediately remove the weapon from campus. If the student refuses to comply, the campus security officer may contact local law enforcement for assistance. Students who fail to comply or commit repeated offenses may be subject to disciplinary action which may include suspension or dismissal from the college.