College Weapons policy

[jsb889]

Alright, I've checked up on this and thought I understood the policy...until I re-read it today. This guy I know pretty well has pepperspray and at least one knife on him at all times, and the way this is written is really confusing me. I know they'll kick him out if hes carrying a firearm...but the rest is legal in the crimes code. So...the whole offduty LEO thing confuses me. If its illegal for us, its illegal for them, right? When I went to class today, I saw a NO WEAPONS sign on the front door...its what prompted me to double check my understanding. He wasn't too worried about the college doing anything except possibly hassling him, they surely can't kick him out for something not in the rule book. These are not prohibited weapons, so I'm pretty sure I'm alright. I guess I'm just looking for 2nd opinions Thanks!



Quite simply, no prohibited offensive weapons such as those described in the Crimes Code of Pennsylvania are permitted on any campus of CCAC or at property under control of CCAC (such as satellites and centers) without the express consent of the President of Community College of Allegheny County or campus Vice Presidents / Chief Executive Officers with one exception; sworn law enforcement officers on official duty.

Off duty sworn law enforcement officers must check with Security and obtain permission from the afore noted administration officials before bringing a weapon on campus.

A permit to carry a fireman, regardless by who issued, does not supersede the CCAC policy.

Anyone witnessing or suspecting a violation of this policy should notify Security immediately or a member of the staff or administration.

http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=150914

Its all I could find on their policy.

[LittleRedToyota]

they surely can't kick him out for something in the rule book.

they most certainly can. assuming the "rule book" means the schools' official student policy, if you violate it, they can kick you out.

i can't really tell from your post exactly what their policy is, though.

[jsb889]

not* in the rule book. sorry. ill have to reedit that

[Statkowski]

no prohibited offensive weapons such as those described in the Crimes Code of Pennsylvania are permitted on any campus of CCAC or at property under control of CCAC

What on earth is a "prohibited offensive weapon?" Does Pennsylvania's Crimes Code actually identify "prohibited offensive weapons?"

[LittleRedToyota]

What on earth is a "prohibited offensive weapon?" Does Pennsylvania's Crimes Code actually identify "prohibited offensive weapons?"

it does indeed:

http://members.aol.com/StatutesP7/18PA908.html

§ 908. Prohibited offensive weapons.

(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if, except as authorized by law, he makes repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in, uses, or possesses any offensive weapon.

(b) Exceptions.--

1. It is a defense under this section for the defendant to prove by a preponderance of evidence that he possessed or dealt with the weapon solely as a curio or in a dramatic performance, or that, with the exception of a bomb, grenade or incendiary device, he complied with the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.), or that he possessed it briefly in consequence of having found it or taken it from an aggressor, or under circumstances similarly negativing any intent or likelihood that the weapon would be used unlawfully.

2. This section does not apply to police forensic firearms experts or police forensic firearms laboratories. Also exempt from this section are forensic firearms experts or forensic firearms laboratories operating in the ordinary course of business and engaged in lawful operation who notify in writing, on an annual basis, the chief or head of any police force or police department of a city, and, elsewhere, the sheriff of a county in which they are located, of the possession, type and use of offensive weapons.

3. This section shall not apply to any person who makes, repairs, sells or otherwise deals in, uses or possesses any firearm for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth.

(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Firearm."
Any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.

"Offensive weapons."
Any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise, or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.

(d) Exemptions.--The use and possession of blackjacks by the following persons in the course of their duties are exempt from this section:

1. Police officers, as defined by and who meet the requirements of the act of June 18, 1974 (P.L.359, No.120), referred to as the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.

2. Police officers of first class cities who have successfully completed training which is substantially equivalent to the program under the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.

3. Pennsylvania State Police officers.

4. Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of the various counties who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.

5. Police officers employed by the Commonwealth who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.

6. Deputy sheriffs with adequate training as determined by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

7.Liquor Control Board agents who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.

[LittleRedToyota]

not* in the rule book. sorry. ill have to reedit that

in that case, it looks to me like you would be OK, but i'm not a lawyer and haven't read the actual student policy, so my opinion ain't worth much.

[JP8]

It depends what kind of knife he's carrying. As far as a knife being a Prohibited Offensive Weapon, it must be a switch blade or something that could be construed as "evil". Some people see balisongs as taboo and I suspect there are some cops who would consider them as POW's. A folding pocket knife is NOT a POW. A single edged fixed-blade knife is not a POW. The state has no laws on blade length though there may be a local ordinance regarding blade length. I would check that out. Where I went to school, the policy said we could carry up to a 4" knife. It was kind of dumb because the local ordinance restricted knives to 3". The reason I don't carry a blackjack (a.k.a. sap) is because it's a POW and if caught, will lead to the loss of my firearms.

[JCWohlschlag]

A permit to carry a fireman, regardless by who issued, does not supersede the CCAC policy.

Wow! How much do one of these fireman permits cost? These would be great when fire extinguishers just won’t cut it!

Joking aside, the knife issue was already addressed above. Knives are not illegal unless they are able to be fully deployed automatically, like a switchblade (“… dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise….”). I have never seen anything in Pennsylvania law restricting pepper spray.

[Steve in PA]

Your colleges "policy" is just that. It does NOT supercede the Crimes Code. You can be kicked out of school for violating their policy, be it a firearm or chewing bubble gum in class.

[jsb889]

Thanks guys! I guess them adding the LEO thing was pretty redundant. I looked at the crimes code and saw nothing about LEOs having prohibited weapons...thats why I was so confused. Just wanted to be sure if the gunless 70 year old lady stops me She'll point to the sign on the door...ill point to the policy in the handbook.

I giggled at the fireman thing...thats simply copy pasted from my college's website Thats all the policy they seem to have on weapons.

I know auto knives are illegal, i made sure to get a plain folder to stay legal.

I love this site. Thank you guys.