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Policy Name: Weapons Policy
Policy Number: 03-07-001
Accountable Senior Administrator: Ronald J. Hurley, DSc., CPP 
Issued: September 27, 2022
Last Updated: August 18, 2022

Reason for the Policy

This policy is intended to help provide for the safety and security of the Ұ������ community.

Stakeholders Affected

This Policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff of Ұ������; associates of the University and affiliated entities; and their respective contractors and guests. It always applies in and on all building and grounds occupied or controlled by Ұ������ or affiliated entities; at all events and activities sponsored or participated in by the University or affiliated entities, regardless of their location; and to any off-campus conduct of the aforementioned individuals, whether or not they are engaged in University business at the time, to the extent that such conduct is in violation of any federal, state, or local laws. The Policy is not applicable to online students unless such a student possesses or uses a weapon (1) while [s]he is physically present on a Ұ������ campus or at an event or activity sponsored by the University, or (2) in violation of federal, state, or local law.

Policy Text

Except as set forth in this Policy under “Limited Exceptions”, the following actions are prohibited:

• Possession, knowledge of possession, or failure to report the use of a firearm, dangerous weapon, or realistic model of a weapon;
• Storage or use of a firearm, dangerous weapon, or realistic model of a weapon, by any person or under any circumstances covered by this Policy, whether or not in violation of the law and including (but not limited to) the use of an implement of any kind as a weapon, is strictly forbidden.
• Unauthorized use of any weapon or realistic model of a weapon as defined in the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice.

Limited Exceptions

Upon written request, the President of the University and/or a designee delegated authority (the “Authorizing Official”), shall be authorized to grant permission for a current federal, state or local law enforcement officer or other person required by law to carry a weapon; or member of the armed forces; to carry firearms or other weapons on campus or at University-sponsored events and activities, only to the extent required by law or official rules of conduct applicable to such person and where, in the sole discretion of the University, the granting of such request would neither pose an undue danger to the Ұ������ community nor subject the University to unacceptable legal or financial risk.

Procedures Applicable to Exceptions

1. A request for permission under this Policy must be made in writing to the Authorizing Official prior to the requesting individual entering a Ұ������ campus in possession of a weapon. Such a request, which shall be complete, current, and accurate in all respects, shall succinctly state the grounds upon which permission is requested. At a minimum, the grounds shall include statements that the requesting individual
   • a. is a current federal, state, or local law enforcement officer or other person who is required by law to carry a weapon; member of the armed forces; campus public safety officer; or person required to carry a weapon by law or official rules of conduct applicable to such person; and
   • b. agrees to abide by all policies, procedures, and instructions of Ұ������ with respect to the possession or use of weapons. In addition, the statement shall identify the specific weapon(s) to be carried.

The requesting individual may not carry firearms or other weapons on campus or at University-sponsored events and activities unless and until the University has granted written permission to do so.

2. The Authorizing Official, after verifying that the request includes the required information and gathering any additional information [s]he may deem appropriate, shall determine whether (and if so, to what extent) to grant the request. The determination shall be communicated in writing and shall be considered final; however, the denial of a request made under this Policy shall not bar a subsequent request by the same person.
    
3.  Permission granted under this Policy shall be conditioned upon the person to whom such permission is being granted submitting a written Acknowledgement & Agreement (substantially in the form attached to this policy, subject to authorized revisions) stating that such person has read and understands this Policy; understands that the weapon is not to be visible or used, except to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations or rules of conduct; agrees to 
   • a. follow all applicable laws;
   • b. take all appropriate precautions to secure the weapon, avoid injury or disruption to members of the Ұ������ community, affiliated entities or unaffiliated third parties; and
   • c. unconditionally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Ұ������, its affiliates, and their respective trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives against any losses, liabilities and related expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees) they may incur in connection with such person’s possession or use of a weapon, whether or not such possession or use is determined to be negligent or in violation of this Policy or any applicable law, regulation or rule of conduct.
      
4. A person receiving such authorization, which shall only apply to the specific weapon(s) identified in the granted request, shall promptly notify the Authorizing Official in writing of
   • a. any loss or theft of the weapon; or
   • b. any material change in the facts or circumstances upon which permission was granted.
      
5. Upon granting or revoking permission under this Policy, the Authorizing Official shall immediately furnish written notice to the President of the University; the Vice President of Student Affairs; the Vice President of Operations; and the Associate Vice President of Public Safety.
   • a. If permission is granted to a qualified student or faculty member under this Policy, in addition to notifying the individuals identified above, the Authorizing Official also shall immediately furnish prompt written notice to the University Provost. Upon receiving such notice with respect to a student, the University Provost shall promptly take appropriate steps to notify members of the faculty for each course in which the student is registered.
   • b. If permission is granted to a qualified associate or contractor under this Policy, in addition to notifying the individuals identified above the Authorizing Official also shall immediately furnish written notice to the Associate Vice President of Public Safety, who shall take appropriate steps to notify the head of the department of which the associate is a member or that is directly responsible for coordinating the contractor’s activities.
      
6. Except as otherwise set forth in writing by the Authorizing Official, permission granted under this Policy shall be effective only for the academic term in which it is granted unless renewed in writing; may be revoked at any time, in writing; and shall terminate automatically when the person to whom permission has been granted leaves the University or is suspended for any reason. The granting of permission applicable to a stated term does not guarantee that this Policy shall not be revised or that permission will remain in effect for the remainder of that term or for any subsequent terms.

Violations

Any person who violates any provision of this Policy, including (but not limited to) a person to whom this Policy applies who possesses or uses a weapon in violation of any federal, state, or local laws during off-campus activities unrelated to the University, shall be subject to disciplinary measures, up to and including suspension or termination. In the discretion of the Authorizing Official and in the interests of public safety, a person accused of violating this Policy may be suspended immediately pending the completion of formal disciplinary procedures.

Any student who violates any provision of this Policy also will be in violation of, and subject to the sanctions of, the Student Code of Conduct.

In addition, violations may be reported to law enforcement agencies.

Related Policies and Documents

• Student Code of Conduct

Responsibility

• Department of Public Safety

Contact for Questions

Department of Public Safety
Phone: 201-200-3128
Email: publicsafety@njcu.edu