Margaret BauerWith Missouri’s concealed weapons law recently deemed constitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court, permit holders will be allowed to carry concealed weapons throughout the state. Despite this decision regarding what is called the “concealed-carry” law, Washington University has resolved to preserve an environment free of concealed weapons.
“Certainly we are concerned about the overall safety of the campus community, and we don’t think it was consistent with the University’s mission to allow concealed weapons and weapons in general on campus,” said Chief of Police Don Strom.
Although it is unlawful under the concealed-carry law to carry a concealed firearm into an educational institution without the consent of the institution’s governing body, the law allows a permit holder to stow a weapon in a vehicle, providing that it is not removed from the vehicle while on the premises. The University, however, as a private institution, will prohibit stowing firearms in vehicles parked in University-owned parking facilities.
“The University has made a policy that says we will not allow firearms to be in the car,” said Strom. “Even if a person has a license that states it is okay to have [a weapon] in their car in a university setting, our policy is that you can’t have it [at] our institution.”
In light of the concealed-carry law, universal no-gun symbol decals will be placed on University-owned meters and University shuttles.
“We are simply making an effort to inform people who visit campus that the University is still off-limits to concealed weapons and weapons of any kind,” said Fred Volkmann, vice chancellor of public affairs. “[The signs are not] so much for students in our own community. [They are] mostly for people who may be coming to visit or who may be using our facilities.”
Similar signs will be posted on off-campus buildings, including University-owned apartments and the Lewis Center. Other properties leased from the University, such as Kayak’s Coffee, can post decals should the leaseholder choose to display them.
“It’s a matter of education,” said Volkmann. “If a person who receives a permit [to carry a weapon] is properly trained as the state requires, they will know that there are areas that have the right to deny them the privilege of carrying that weapon. By notifying people that these are University structures, although they may not be on the campus itself, it informs them that they would not be acting appropriately if they were to carry the weapon inside and would be subject to some further action.”
Sophomore Katie Hosack does not expect the concealed-carry law to have a major impact on campus safety.
“Generally, I don’t feel there is much of a threat here, and I don’t see that changing,” said Hosack.
Sophomore Laura Robb feels that the ability to defend oneself with a concealed weapon, which some view as a right, is not necessary on the University’s campus.
“[The University’s weapons policy] applies to everyone on campus, which will universally keep the threat posed by weapons down,” said Robb. “I would hope that, because of [these measures], self-defense with a weapon wouldn’t be necessary.”
Senior Kelley Mesa, founder of On Target, a campus group promoting firearms education and safety, believes that the University’s response is reasonable given the law’s provisions regarding educational institutions.
“Since we are a private institution the school has every right to come to its own decision regarding this issue,” said Mesa. “Perhaps my own opinion regarding any danger posed by a law-abiding citizen carrying a firearm onto a campus differs from the school’s, but I completely respect their decision.”
Mesa emphasized that the University’s decision to prohibit concealed weapons does not infringe on the right to defend oneself.
“The boundaries set by the University do not prohibit self-defense, only certain methods of self-defense,” said Mesa. “I think it’s the personal responsibility of the students here to learn how to best protect themselves, given the boundaries set by the school. In my case, I’ve taken a personal defense course for women, carry pepper spray and, most importantly, am constantly aware of my surroundings. But once I have graduated, I do plan to carry a concealed firearm for personal defense, which, I might add, I already have a permit for.”