College Campus Carry Again

[jerryg]

I sent an email to Northampton Community College, here is the answer I received.
Hello Jerry:


You wrote to the college with the following inquiry: "Comments: In the student code of conduct it states students cannot carry firearms without written permission, how many students have permission? are staff members allowed to carry on campus? Is the public allowed to carry on campus."

The College has a policy that firearms are not permitted on campus. That means, students, staff and general public are not permitted to bring firearms to campus. Law enforcement officers, while on official duty, are permitted to have weapons on campus.







Mardi McGuire-Closson
Vice President,Student Affairs/Dean of Students
Northampton Community College
610-861-4558
Fax: 610-861-4592
mclosson@northampton.edu
ATD Leader College
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The answer does not state how many if anybody has written permission to carry on campus. Their security staff is only Act 235 not Act 120 they might not be armed either.

Can't we write to the Gov. to with hold State of PA funds ( our tax dollars )because the college is not going by the letter of the law?

[Yellowfin]

There's a preemption argument that can be made along those lines, certainly. That precise scenario is currently going on in Colorado right now and is at the Colorado state supreme court. David Kopel wrote a rather brilliant amicus brief on the case. I suggest studying that case and see how it applies in PA.

[zackattack784]

Part of the problem is, carrying on college campuses is legal.

[fastfive0]

So basically if your not a student at a college but visiting and they find out you have a weapon all they can do is ask you to leave correct? Since its only a college rule that you cant have a firearm not an actual law?

[wishIhada5.0]

I would think that ^would be true...

[Statkowski]

There is no state law prohibiting anyone from carrying a firearm on a college campus.

If it's a private college, then private property rules prevail.

If it's a publically-funded college, whether state or county, terms of employment (for faculty and employees) and terms of conduct (for students) prevail. This is contract law and has nothing to do with civil rights, maybe.

If a person is not a student, or an employee, or a member of the faculty or staff, then they can either CC or OC - legally. Of course, if they OC they can fully expect all sorts of stuff to happen, much of it not nice, but they will be escorted off the campus.

OP attacked this problem all wrong. OP stated in his original request that carry was prohibited without permission. He should have asked for instructions on obtaining permission and taken it from there.

Can a (county) community college prohibit carry? Interesting take on preemption and such. State colleges may be exempt.

[B2Luv2Hunt]

We had a meeting with my State Rep Mike Hanna two weeks ago at his Lock Haven office. Campus Carry was one of the topics we discussed.

[mbinpa]

Both my daughters went to Temple so I did whatever research I could about college carry.

STUDENT: As a student when you enroll you agree to abide by the published rules and regs of the college. For example, if you are over 21 and there is a no alcohol rule on campus you are not allowed to possess alcohol even if it is legal for you to do so. If you have a LTCF but possession is prohibited on campus you cannot carry. These are school rules. They cannot arrest you for breaking any laws but they can expel you for breaking their rules. Basically - you go to their school you have to play by their rules.

PARENTS, GUESTS AND NON-STUDENTS: This is where there was a lot of discussion with the security office, at least for Temple. They do not recognize the right to carry on their campus, even with LTCF. I was told firearms are forbidden on campus and that I would be arrested. When I suggested that I was legally allowed to carry and college campus were not prohibited places, the security representative got a little bit less firm and said I would be escorted off campus. I guess this falls under the private property provision.

The one question I did not ask is what about the public streets that go through campus? There are parts of Broad Street that are considered "on campus" as well as many other city streets chris-crossing the campus.

It was interesting that at the parents meetings Temple boasted that they have the 5th LARGEST SWORN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE COMMONWEALTH! And I do have to admit there were LEO and private security everywhere on campus. But take one step off campus and North Philly hits you right in the face. I always CCed when I visited.

[Yellowfin]

If it's a publically-funded college, whether state or county, terms of employment (for faculty and employees) and terms of conduct (for students) prevail. This is contract law and has nothing to do with civil rights, maybe.

I'm wondering as being a matter of contract that such could be ruled an unconscionable provision and thus void. In essence it's saying you have to trade your life under some circumstances--I can only think of the military (probably not even the police) being allowed to say you have an obligation to die in certain scenarios.

[Siobhra]

Does anyone know if someone with a permit but not carrying has ever been injured on campus and taken the school to court? The school took away their ability to defend themselves so the school should be libel for all damages, plus pain and suffering.