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Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:07:25
by 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
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:58:33
by 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?
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:59:04
by 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.
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:16:55
by mamabearCali
Kreutz wrote: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
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:18:47
by mk4
meak99 wrote: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
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:20:38
by mk4
mamabearCali wrote:Kreutz wrote: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...
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:40:18
by Kreutz
mk4 wrote: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.
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:58:23
by 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
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:01:24
by dorminWS
mk4 wrote:meak99 wrote: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?
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:01:40
by 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.
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 17:00:36
by Alex
It's a sad day when students must choose between breaking the law, and defending themselves.
*Sigh* Concealed is concealed.
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:08:00
by Jakeiscrazy
KaosDad wrote: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.
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:08:00
by Jakeiscrazy
KaosDad wrote: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.
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:29:16
by 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.
Re: Virginia Tech Approves New Firearms Ban
Posted: Sun, 01 Apr 2012 23:30:45
by SHMIV
KaosDad wrote:
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.