Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban

[allingeneral]

From NBC Washington:
A new regulation at Virginia Tech bans concealed firearms and other weapons from university buildings and major events such as football games.

The school's Board of Governors approved the measure on Monday. The new regulation replaces an existing policy, and concerns firearms carried both by concealed permit holders and non-permit-holders.

Read more: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local ... 94025.html

From WTKR:
BLACKSBURG; Va. —
A heated gun debate is now settled at Virginia Tech. The University has passed a regulation restricting weapons of any kind in campus buildings and at campus events.

The regulation passed by the Board of Visitors Monday is essentially an affirmation of a policy that's been in place for years.

That policy restricts students and staff from having weapons of any kind. It also restricts visitors from carrying weapons inside campus buildings.

Last year the Attorney General said a policy was not sufficient and suggested that university's wishing to restrict weapons on campus pass a formal resolution. Monday, the BOV took that advise.

Read more: http://www.wtkr.com/news/wdbj7-virginia ... 1503.story

[meak99]

I was under the impression they needed wording in state code to make it official. Simply changing the word "policy" to "resolution" or "regulation" all of a sudden gives it the force of law? Really?

[Kreutz]

Never been there; now that will stay that way.

I don't feel safe being unarmed at VT....they seem to have a problem with gun violence there despite those awesome signs and regulations.

Puzzling.

[mamabearCali]

Never been there; now that will stay that way.

I don't feel safe being unarmed at VT....they seem to have a problem with gun violence there despite those awesome signs and regulations.

Puzzling.

This! +1

[mk4]

I was under the impression they needed wording in state code to make it official. Simply changing the word "policy" to "resolution" or "regulation" all of a sudden gives it the force of law? Really?

It's a bit more than that.
They have to draft the regulation and be specific about locations that are prohibited, etc. Then it needs to be published in the Va Administrative Code, where it derives force of law from reference statutes listed in the regulation. The kicker is that they don't have to solicit public opinion before publishing. There's some kind of loophole that some universities use to get around that.

eta... here's the link to ODU's VAC regulation: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604 ... AC65-10-20

[mk4]

Never been there; now that will stay that way.

I don't feel safe being unarmed at VT....they seem to have a problem with gun violence there despite those awesome signs and regulations.

Puzzling.

This! +1

My eldest niece just got accepted there.
She's decided to go elsewhere.
I'm very happy about that...

[Kreutz]

My eldest niece just got accepted there.
She's decided to go elsewhere.
I'm very happy about that...

Smart girl. IIRC public colleges in Colorado "allow" (sigh) students to defend themselves.

[meak99]

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... C105-20-20

8VAC105-20-20. Possession of weapons prohibited.

A. The university's employees, students, and volunteers are prohibited from carrying, maintaining, or storing a firearm or weapon on any university property. Any visitor or other third party attending a sporting, entertainment, or educational event or visiting an academic or administrative office building, dining facility, or residence hall is prohibited from carrying, maintaining, or storing a firearm or weapon on any university facility, even if the owner has a valid permit. This prohibition also applies to all events on campus where people congregate in any public or outdoor areas.

B. Any such individual who is reported or discovered to possess a firearm or weapon on university property will be asked to remove it immediately from university property. Failure to comply may result in a student conduct referral, an employee disciplinary action, or arrest.

Statutory Authority

§ 23-122 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 16, eff. March 27, 2012.

So, according to "B", if a visitor is indeed found to have a weapon in a building, they will be asked to leave. If they do not comply with the request to leave, then they will face arrest. I assume for trespassing? Anyone know for sure? Is it just like ignoring a "No Guns" sign at a business? If one chooses to carry anyways, and if they find out, then they have to give you a chance to leave before being arrested for trespassing? i.e., signs have no force of law

[dorminWS]

I was under the impression they needed wording in state code to make it official. Simply changing the word "policy" to "resolution" or "regulation" all of a sudden gives it the force of law? Really?

It's a bit more than that.
They have to draft the regulation and be specific about locations that are prohibited, etc. Then it needs to be published in the Va Administrative Code, where it derives force of law from reference statutes listed in the regulation. The kicker is that they don't have to solicit public opinion before publishing. There's some kind of loophole that some universities use to get around that.

eta... here's the link to ODU's VAC regulation: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604 ... AC65-10-20

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Put more simply, I reckon the basic difference is that administrators (bureaucrats by another name) can promulgate policies. The governimg body must adapt a regulation; and there is a defined procedure for doing so. So one idiot can't do it by idiotic fiat; but several idiots who've been appointed based mostly on political connections must get together, agree on it, and follow the rules. See there? Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

[KaosDad]

I cannot tell you how very disappointing this all is. My son graduated from VT, spending his last year as the drum major of the VTCC Regimental Band. That school had the right education mentality; if you are not getting the education you are paying for, WE are failing. Well, the students are not getting the protection they need, so, VT is failing - as are several other universities in the country.

What makes it even sadder is the fact this solves nothing. Anyone remember this incident: Virginia Tech Student Decapitated With Kitchen Knife by Attacker She Knew

Yet, I bet a vast majority of the student population (esp the guys) carry a pocket knife of some kind. A very strict reading of Paragraph A would also prohibit grounds keepers from carrying around lopping shears, hand scythes or paring knives. Hell, even a shovel could be seen as a weapon and don't even get me started on those evil softball & baseball teams.

[Alex]

It's a sad day when students must choose between breaking the law, and defending themselves.

*Sigh* Concealed is concealed.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I cannot tell you how very disappointing this all is. My son graduated from VT, spending his last year as the drum major of the VTCC Regimental Band. That school had the right education mentality; if you are not getting the education you are paying for, WE are failing. Well, the students are not getting the protection they need, so, VT is failing - as are several other universities in the country.

What makes it even sadder is the fact this solves nothing. Anyone remember this incident: Virginia Tech Student Decapitated With Kitchen Knife by Attacker She Knew

Yet, I bet a vast majority of the student population (esp the guys) carry a pocket knife of some kind. A very strict reading of Paragraph A would also prohibit grounds keepers from carrying around lopping shears, hand scythes or paring knives. Hell, even a shovel could be seen as a weapon and don't even get me started on those evil softball & baseball teams.

+1

When does a "weapon" become a "weapon". That term is completely subjective and as such you be in trouble for having just about anything.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I cannot tell you how very disappointing this all is. My son graduated from VT, spending his last year as the drum major of the VTCC Regimental Band. That school had the right education mentality; if you are not getting the education you are paying for, WE are failing. Well, the students are not getting the protection they need, so, VT is failing - as are several other universities in the country.

What makes it even sadder is the fact this solves nothing. Anyone remember this incident: Virginia Tech Student Decapitated With Kitchen Knife by Attacker She Knew

Yet, I bet a vast majority of the student population (esp the guys) carry a pocket knife of some kind. A very strict reading of Paragraph A would also prohibit grounds keepers from carrying around lopping shears, hand scythes or paring knives. Hell, even a shovel could be seen as a weapon and don't even get me started on those evil softball & baseball teams.

+1

When does a "weapon" become a "weapon". That term is completely subjective and as such you be in trouble for having just about anything.

[KaosDad]

Actually - the definition of "weapon" is quite clear; A weapon is a tool or instrument used in order to inflict damage or harm to living beings.

Once you take any thing and attack another living thing with the intent to harm, - you now have a weapon. The tool can be a pen, a screwdriver, a 2x4, hell - swing a dead cat at someone and you've got a weapon of CATaclysmic purrrrrportions.

[SHMIV]

swing a dead cat at someone and you've got a weapon of CATaclysmic purrrrrportions.

Heh heh heh... punny

Though, I suspect that a live feline would be more CATastrophic to the one swung upon.