Question about carrying near college campus

[cheepz]

Hello, new member here ,
I just had a question regarding carrying near campus. I know it is illegal to carry on campus. This is my scenario. My apartment is near VCU/MCV campus in richmond. My friends apartment is also near campus, but on the other side of it. We are both studying medicine, and often study late. So when I walk her back to her place we usually run into a few characters. Most have been harmless, one or two followed us one time. A little scary. Before she met me, she only had to use her mace once. This is finals week, so its like 24/7 studying, and last night I walked her home at 4am, and it was a little scary. First, A guy in a limo told us to get into his car. Then, a guy asked us for money and kept following us to her apt. After I took her home, I briskly walked back to mine. We try to walk through campus since its well lit, but MCV has so many homeless people hanging around that its freaks me out sometimes. So my question is, are the roads and sidewalks that run through campus considered school property? I have my cwl from florida, and am tempted to just carry anyway through campus late at night, but I dont want to get myself in trouble with campus police or anything. Any advice or information you guys can lend me will be great. I dont have a car, and to get to her car we have to walk through a super shady parking garage thats pretty far from her apt. Thanks in advance.

[allingeneral]

cheepz - first, welcome aboard!

I am not a lawyer (IANAL). That said - here's my opinion:

I have to say that scenarios such as yours are one of the biggest reasons that "On campus carry" should be allowed. I feel for you and wish there was a way for you to do it legally, but as soon as you cross the line onto the campus, you are held to the "Private property" laws of the campus, which preclude your ability to carry a firearm.

The mace that your friend carries is the best you can do in this situation. You might be smart to get some mace as well for those scary walks across campus at 4am - or maybe a stun gun.

I would encourage you to get involved by writing a letter to the campus security folks and the dean in an effort to enlighten them to your situation and that they should unrestrict the carry of firearms by law-abiding citizens such as yourself who pose no threat to anyone except some thug who decides that you and your friend look like a good target one night.

You can pick up some mace at my store, if you see fit to do so. Here's a link:

http://all-in-general.com/advanced_sear ... words=mace

Here's a link to some stun guns as well:

http://all-in-general.com/advanced_sear ... words=stun

[Derby]

http://www.beststungun.com/stun-gun-laws.html

§ 18.2-308.1. Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited


That is stupid but w/e

Cant protect yourself at a school for anything

[allingeneral]

That reference is for Elementary, Middle and High Schools only and does not apply to college campuses. Colleges restrict rights as they see fit under the laws of private property.

§ 18.2-308.1
A. If any person possesses any (i) stun weapon or taser as defined in this section, (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches, or (iii) weapon, including a weapon of like kind, designated in subsection A of § 18.2-308, other than a firearm, upon (a) the property of any public, private or parochial elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds

[ksanftleben]

I was going to suggest a taser too since they are not legally prohibited on campus, but I couldn't find anything in a quick check of the VCU/MCV policies that says they are allowed, and I found a couple of documents that suggest they are not. If they are permitted, you can usually pick one up with a couple of extra cartridges at the Chantilly gun show for around $300-350.

If a taser isn't allowed, you could use the VCU Police Department Escort Service. "Faculty, students, and the staff of VCU are encouraged to call the Security Escort Service, operated by the VCU Police Department, whenever the need arises. You may dial 828-WALK from an ordinary telephone, or activate one of the Emergency Reporting Telephones (ERTS) described below. The hours of operation are listed below for each campus."

R/Kurt

[Derby]

Ok so just asked a few different teachers at NOVA and they say they are pretty sure Stun guns/Tasers are not allowed

[allingeneral]

I was going to suggest a taser too since they are not legally prohibited on campus, but I couldn't find anything in a quick check of the VCU/MCV policies that says they are allowed, and I found a couple of documents that suggest they are not.

Kurt,

Can you provide any documentation to back this up - re: Tasers being prohibited? Which couple of documents suggested that they are not allowed?

Thanks for your help!

[cheepz]

Thanks for all the information. I think legally im limited to a whistle and pepper spray (hopefully the wind isnt pointing in my direction). I was thinking of buying a taser and just carrying it anyway. Are campus police or capital police allowed to stop and frisk people for no reason? lol, dumb question, but if I get caught with a taser and I get in trouble, I can kiss medical school goodbye.

[Derby]

Thanks for all the information. I think legally im limited to a whistle and pepper spray (hopefully the wind isnt pointing in my direction). I was thinking of buying a taser and just carrying it anyway. Are campus police or capital police allowed to stop and frisk people for no reason? lol, dumb question, but if I get caught with a taser and I get in trouble, I can kiss medical school goodbye.

DONT QUOTE ME!!

Ill do more research but pretty sure its only a misdemeanor

[OakRidgeStars]

Be glad you're not enrolled at Colorado University

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article ... &catid=222

[cheepz]

A misdemeanor is pretty bad when applying to professional school. A cop gave me a misdemeanor for not having my glasses on when he pulled me over. I scrambled to the DA's office to get it thrown out. Luckily she did lol. That nerf gun thing is just ridiculous. AIG, ill probably be ordering some pepper spray soon lol.

[novasig226r]

Be glad you're not enrolled at Colorado University

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article ... &catid=222

I'm at a loss for words. What the hell is going on with the brains of some people? This is the same as the "finger gun", "chicken nugget gun", "folded paper gun", and the like.

I've got the Drano, where's the gene pool?

[OakRidgeStars]

It's time for Rick to grab the domain "conerfforum.net" before someone else takes it

[gfost1]

Howdy, Cheepz,

Unless the streets and sidewalks are OWNED by VCU/MCV, they are public property, and you are within your rights to carry openly or concealed. Strictly speaking, carrying on campus is not illegal (unless you do something to turn it into a crime, i.e. trespassing) but as it probably violates school policy, you would be risking your academic career to do so. If you can walk from point A to point B and back while staying on public property, it doesn't matter how close you get to VCU/MCV.

Have you checked on the validity of your Florida CWL while you are domiciled in Virginia? It might be a good idea to spend the $50.00 and get a VA resident CHP.

Rgeards,

George

[ksanftleben]

I was going to suggest a taser too since they are not legally prohibited on campus, but I couldn't find anything in a quick check of the VCU/MCV policies that says they are allowed, and I found a couple of documents that suggest they are not.

Kurt,

Can you provide any documentation to back this up - re: Tasers being prohibited? Which couple of documents suggested that they are not allowed?

Thanks for your help!

Rick,

Here's a link to one document. See para III.5. "Possession of a firearm, stun gun, or other weapon on school property is prohibited. Fireworks and explosives are also prohibited. Infractions of these laws will result in dismissal from the Program and possible prosecution." The reason I said it only suggests that tasers may not be allowed is because it is for a VCU summer program directed at high school students. It's not clear if stun gun possession is prohibited for regular college students as well.

Here's a link to a second document. It's from the VCU Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services. It states that "weapons" are prohibited in any University Student Commons & Activities (USC&A)facility. However, it doesn't address all campus areas and it doesn't define "weapons".

The VCU Housing Policy states in Section 35 that "Firearms, other weapons or explosives are not allowed on university property (including residence halls) regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued." Again, though, it doesn't define weapons, so it's not clear that tasers are included in the prohibition.

There were a few other documents/webpages that I found, but they were no more definitive than these.

I suppose that you could call the VCU Police (804-828-0100)for a definitive answer, but interestingly, I couldn't find any mention of guns, tasers, or or other weapons being prohibited (or not) on the VCU Police website. There is a link under "General Information" to a "Student Guide to University Policies and Actions," but when I click I get a message saying I'm not authorized to view. Guess you have to be logged in as a VCU employee or student for that.

Hope this helps.

R/Kurt

[allingeneral]

Thank you for the clarification Kurt. That's good information.

[zephyp]

Thanks for all the information. I think legally im limited to a whistle and pepper spray (hopefully the wind isnt pointing in my direction). I was thinking of buying a taser and just carrying it anyway. Are campus police or capital police allowed to stop and frisk people for no reason? lol, dumb question, but if I get caught with a taser and I get in trouble, I can kiss medical school goodbye.

Hi cheepz and welcome. Here's how I would handle it. First dont ask the question "can I carry a gun on or near campus." Second, get a copy of the rules and see where they stand on carry. If its outlawed on campus then ask this question "may I please have a detailed map of campus property boundaries." Then you can decide (with that map in your pocket) where you can and cannot carry near campus.