Weapons

Purpose:

To provide guidance for the possession of weapons on college campus by students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and to provide rules and procedures for the possession of weapons on campus grounds, in campus buildings, and at campus events, consistent with Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Policy 3.14.5, Workplace Violence Prevention and Threat Assessment Policy Guidelines, and the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Definitions:

College property: any property owned, leased, or controlled by J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Reynolds).

Police officer: law-enforcement officials appointed pursuant to Article 3 (§ 15.2-1609 et seq.) of Chapter 16 and Chapter 17 (§ 15.2-1700 et seq.) of Title 15.2, Chapter 17 (§ 23-232 et seq.) of Title 23, Chapter 2 (§ 29.1-200 et seq.) of Title 29.1, or Chapter 1 (§ 52-1 et seq.) of Title 52 of the Code of Virginia or sworn federal law-enforcement officers.

Properly permitted: individuals possessing a valid concealed handgun permit.

Weapon:

1. any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material;
2. any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack;
3. any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain;
4. any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades that is designed to be thrown or propelled and that may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or
5. any weapon of like kind, to include but not limited to, tasers; and
6. does not mean knives or razors used for domestic purposes; pen or folding knives with blades less than three inches in length, or; knives of like kind carried for use in accordance with the purpose intended by the original seller. Policy:

Policy:

1. Possession or carrying of any weapon by any person, except a police officer, is prohibited on college property in academic buildings, administrative office buildings, student centers, dining facilities, and places where people congregate, or while attending any college-sponsored event.

2. Faculty, staff, and students may not possess or carry any weapon anywhere on college property except as outlined under the Exceptions section of this policy.

3. Campus police officers and other police officers acting pursuant to a mutual aid agreement or by concurrent jurisdiction are lawfully in charge for the purposes of forbidding entry upon or remaining upon college property while possessing or carrying weapons in violation of this prohibition.

4. Exceptions

   1. This prohibition shall not apply to current sworn and certified local, state, and federal law-enforcement officers with proper identification, nor shall it apply to possession of a weapon when stored securely inside the vehicle of properly permitted students and employees.

   2. Faculty, staff, and students may secure handguns, rifles, and shotguns in a compartment or container of parked vehicles in a manner that is not in violation of the Code of Virginia. Faculty, staff, and students who wish to secure a handgun in their vehicle must possess a valid concealed handgun permit. The compartment or container may be a trunk or other storage area. At no time shall a weapon be visible in plain view while inside a vehicle.

   3. Visitors and contractors may secure handguns, rifles, and shotguns in parked vehicles. Visitors and contractors are encouraged to secure weapons in the trunk of vehicles or otherwise out of sight of passersby and not in a manner that is in violation of the Code of Virginia.

   4. The chief of the college Police Department or his designee may authorize, in writing, a person to possess, store, or use a weapon:

      1. when used for educational or artistic instruction, display, parade, or ceremony sponsored or approved by the college (unloaded or disabled only and with other specified safeguards, if appropriate); or

      2. for any college-approved training, course, or class.

Procedures:

Procedures for Weapons, 4-04

Other Information:

Code of Virginia § 18.2-308, Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions; penalty

Virginia Register of Regulations, Vol. 29 Issue 12, Regulation of Weapons, 8VAC95-10

Virginia State Police, Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit Reciprocity and Recognition