Weapons

1.0    Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for the possession of weapons on campus.

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    Possession, storage, and use of weapons is prohibited in all college owned or leased buildings, except as outlined in this policy.

4.2    The college provides a means for residential students to store their weapons while they are on campus.

4.3    The college provides a means for the storage of college owned weapons used for instruction.

5.0    Definitions

5.1    Weapons. Any object or substance designed 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, swords, arrows, bows, martial arts weapons, and knives designed or adapted for combat or use against another person.

5.2    Exceptions. The president may grant an exception to the weapons policy. Exceptions are for a limited period. Requests for a long-term, on-going, or concealed weapon exception will not be considered. 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.

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

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

5.3.2    The ranch manager, and in his 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.

5.3.3    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.

5.3.4    Legal items not intended to cause death or serious bodily harm such as self-defense spray or electronic devices are permissible.

6.0    Responsibilities

6.1    The campus safety and security coordinator is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy.

6.2    The president is responsible for granting or denying exceptions.

7.0    Procedures

7.1    Exceptions

7.1.1    A person interested in obtaining an exception submits a written request to the campus safety and security coordinator via email or in person at least five business days prior to needing the exception.

7.1.2    The campus safety and security coordinator will request an approval or denial from the president. The coordinator notifies the applicant of the decision by email or mail. Approved exceptions will be given an expiration date.

7.1.3    Campus Security will provide approved applicants with written authorization, which they are required to carry with them while on campus with the weapon.

7.2    Storage

7.2.1    Prior to bringing a weapon to campus, residential students notify Campus Security that they need weapon storage and will make an appointment to bring the weapon to campus.

7.2.2    Upon arrival on campus on the pre-approved date, the residential student promptly delivers the weapon to the Campus Security Office. Weapons must be unloaded and locked or secured. Campus Security does not store ammunition.

7.2.3    The residential student completes and submits the Student Firearms Storage form to Campus Security.

7.2.4    Campus Security secures the weapon and provides the residential student with a copy of the form.

7.2.5    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. Residential students must remove weapons from campus immediately upon receipt.

7.3    Violations

7.3.1    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.

7.3.2    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.

7.3.3    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.

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.