Students push for change to conceal carry law on campuses
April 21, 2009 10:58 PM
Richard Essex/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - Gun holsters are on display as part of a protest at college campuses across the state.
The protest, organizers say, isn't about Second Amendment rights, it's about protecting themselves in a way they feel is appropriate. Jordan Stover was at the IUPUI Student Center with his gun holster - no gun, just the holster - leading the protest without signs or yelling.
"I haven't had any open questions, I have had some glances," Stover said. "We are not looking at this from a Second Amendment aspect, we are looking at it from a practical, self-defense aspect."
Citing the Virginia Tech shootings, Stover and a number of other law students felt it was time to protect themselves.
"The only survivors of Virginia Tech in many of those classrooms are the ones that jumped out of a third story window," Stover said. "I don't want to be that student that jumps from a window to save myself, I would rather have a way of protecting myself right then and there."
IUPUI doesn't allow students, faculty or visitors to legally carry guns on campus.
"We are looking to protect ourselves and possibly others in the process of protecting ourselves," law student Shannon Melton said.
"IUPUI is committed to having a campus that is violence-free and part of that commitment means keeping weapons and other means of violence off the campus," said Rich Schneider at IUPUI.
Stover and others started the protest in hopes of changing the policy. That change would have to come from one of two groups - the Board of Trustees would have to vote to change the policy, or the Indiana General Assembly would have to change the law.
"Some are sympathetic to the cause and agree that students shouldn't be disarmed, some are dead set against it and they don't even want to hear what your argument is," said Stover.
Senate Bill 12, which is moving through the Indiana General Assembly, would allow students to carry guns on Campus if properly licensed, if it becomes law.
But wait, how come this guy didn't follow that rule:"IUPUI is committed to having a campus that is violence-free and part of that commitment means keeping weapons and other means of violence off the campus," said Rich Schneider at IUPUI.
Why was SB12 cited in relation to college campuses? Maybe I'm confused but I was not aware it is illegal to carry on college campuses, I thought it was just against the policy of the university. Further, while students may not carry due to policy, I don't understand how a university could prevent me (I'm old and not a student) from carrying on campus with a policy in their student handbook.
Anyone have any insight?
SB12 said:Chapter 11.5. Regulation of Firearms by State Universities and Colleges
Sec. 1. A state educational institution may not regulate in any manner the ownership, possession, carrying, or transportation of firearms or ammunition.
I can still pass for a college student. I'll take a couple strolls through IUPUI tomorrow. I suppose an IWB or and ankle holster wouldn't count, would it?
Yes, I understand that part of the policy, but as I asked, how can a student policy manual prevent me (a non-student) from legally carrying on campus? I ask this because most colleges, especially places like IU and Purdue, are intermixed into the city with campus on one side of the street and non-campus the other, but then a block or two away campus is on both sides, and then another block or two away back to only being on 1 side. People who are not students can walk, drive, bicycle across town and enter/exit the campus 10 times while going in a straight line.I think that the issue is that the university can effectively prevent you from carrying through the threat of expulsion or equally serious disciplinary action. SB12 would prevent them from doing this. As it stands now a law-abiding, LTCH-holding student could still carry, get caught, get kicked out of school, but not be convicted with a crime. IANAL.
If you look at the story as it was reported it indicates that it is illegal to have a gun on campus. I do not believe that is true. That is what I was questioning.news reporter said:IUPUI doesn't allow students, faculty or visitors to legally carry guns on campus.
Ha, start dragging me into this huh . We have never escorted a non-student/employee/student off-campus for carrying (while I was there 1996-2002) but always directed them to lock the pistol in a pistol locker on station and give you the only key. IUPUI PD has to follow IUPUI guidelines and not officially endorse carrying on campus. Many of the upper brass is pro-carry and may give you the WINK when speaking about CC on campus. As long as there are no laws broken, getting expelled is remote. IUPUI is not nearly as liberal as IUB.melensdad, it is not illegal to carry on campus, only school policy, the reporter was either saying that it's not legal according to policy or just misinformed, I'm HOPING he just used a poor word choice. But, I know what you're saying and what I'm betting would happen if you carried while walking THROUGH campus, is that you'd be stopped by IUPUI PD and then let go if you were sticking to the side walks as you are not doing anything Illegal but i'm not sure, ask Denny347, he is former IUPUI PD.
I think that the issue is that the university can effectively prevent you from carrying through the threat of expulsion or equally serious disciplinary action. SB12 would prevent them from doing this. As it stands now a law-abiding, LTCH-holding student could still carry, get caught, get kicked out of school, but not be convicted with a crime. IANAL.
Though I agree with the spirit of the Concealed Carry on Campus movement, I'm not sure the empty holster thing is the way to demonstrate that, because 1) it doesn't represent concealed carry and 2) it might further ingrain the impression that allowing "guns on campus" is going to be disruptive to the educational process.
"Eek! Johnny is packing a 1911 in History class!"
*sorority girls faint*
IUPUI doesn't allow students, faculty or visitors to legally carry guns on campus.
If you look at the story as it was reported it indicates that it is illegal to have a gun on campus. I do not believe that is true. That is what I was questioning.
We have never escorted a non-student/employee/student off-campus for carrying (while I was there 1996-2002) but always directed them to lock the pistol in a pistol locker on station and give you the only key.