DSU WEAPONS POLICY

OFFICE OF RECORD:	Student Affairs
ISSUED BY:	Vice President/Dean for Student Affairs
APPROVED BY:		01-81-00
EFFECTIVE DATE:	3/26/09

POLICY

Students and employees are prohibited from possessing firearms and other items defined as dangerous weapons on institutional premises, including both facilities and grounds.  (*See note below for dangerous weapon definition.)

Exceptions to this policy include the following:

• Any starting gun while in use at an athletic event, and any firearm or air gun at a firing range, a gun show, or supervised school or session for training in the use of firearms;

• The ceremonial presence of any unloaded weapon at a color guard ceremony;

• Any weapon under the control of military personnel while carrying out official duties or training associated with the South Dakota National Guard or the Reserve Officers Training Corps;

• Any otherwise lawful firearm held in a weapon storage facility operated by the institution or while such firearm is being transported unloaded in a firearm case to or from such a storage facility; or

• Storage of any otherwise lawful firearm inside a locked personal motor vehicle is permitted on university property (unloaded and in a firearm case).

*NOTE:  Excerpt from SDCL § 22-1-2(10) "Dangerous weapon" or "deadly weapon," any firearm, stun gun, knife, or device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which is calculated or designed to inflict death or serious bodily harm, or by the manner in which it is used is likely to inflict death or serious bodily harm;...
 

PROCEDURES           

1. Authorized weapons must be stored unloaded in a locked car or surrendered to the Physical Plant for secure storage upon entering campus.  If the weapon is surrendered for secured storage at the Physical Plant, the individual will be required to sign and abide by a Weapons Storage Agreement.  Weapons removed from storage must be locked in the individual’s car.  The weapon must never be taken to residence hall rooms or campus buildings.  
2. Students found to be in violation of this policy may face immediate expulsion.  In the case of employee violations, the result may lead to immediate termination of employment.
3. Any employee or student who becomes aware of a violation of this policy is required to immediately notify one of the following individuals: the Vice President for Student Affairs, Director of the Physical Plant, Director of Residence Life, or an immediate supervisor.  

 Procedures for exceptions:

1. If a weapon is necessary for academic purposes or for a special visiting group, a request must be provided to the Director of the Physical Plant or Vice President for Student Affairs two weeks in advance.
2. If event/activity is approved, the supervisor of the person having the weapon on campus must follow the activities of the event/activity from start to finish.
3. The Director of the Physical Plant will provide the plan for weapons storage and the resulting utilization of provided storage to the Vice President/Dean for Student Affairs, Director of Residence Life, and Vice President of Business and Administrative Services for informational purposes only.