Lawrence Campus Implementation Procedures for the University-Wide Weapons Policy and the Kansas Board of Regents Weapons Possession Policy

As further detailed in the University-Wide Weapons Policy, beginning on July 1, 2017, any individual who is 21 years of age or older, and beginning on July 1, 2021, any licensed individual who is 18-21 years of age, and who is not prohibited or disqualified by law and who is lawfully eligible to carry a concealed handgun in Kansas shall not be precluded from doing so on University campuses, including all facilities owned or leased by the University, except in buildings and public areas of buildings for which adequate security measures are provided or, if not an employee of the University, in buildings or areas of buildings with restricted access. Open carry of firearms and possession of weapons other than concealed handguns shall be prohibited on all University campuses, with limited exceptions.

I.     Communication of Policy and Procedures
The University shall widely distribute the University-Wide Weapons Policy and these Procedures to its faculty, staff, and students and shall prominently publish the University-Wide Weapons Policy and Procedures in the University’s Policy Library and on a webpage dedicated to the carrying of concealed handguns on University campus premises.

II.     Training
All faculty, staff, and students be will offered training concerning the University-Wide Weapons Policy and these Procedures. Training will address possession and storage of handguns, how to report a suspected violation of the University-Wide Weapons Policy and Procedures, how reports are investigated, the potential sanctions upon confirmation of violation of the University-Wide Weapons Policy or Procedures, and other topics relevant to the University-Wide Weapons Policy and Procedures.

The University will not conduct any training for faculty, staff, or students in the use of firearms, firearm safety, firearm cleaning and maintenance, firearm ownership or transfer of ownership, or any other topic not necessary for understanding and complying with the University-Wide Weapons Policy and Procedures. Interested faculty, staff, and students may visit the Kansas Concealed Carry Handgun Certified Instructors Directory to obtain information regarding regionally and locally available providers of such instruction. http://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/certified-instructor-directory.pdf

III.     Adequate Security Measures
The University may identify specific facilities and buildings on campus where adequate security measures may be employed to prevent access by anyone carrying a concealed weapon. These measures may be employed on an on-going basis (Permanent Adequate Security Measures) or on a temporary basis (Temporary Adequate Security Measures). In both cases, such adequate security measures are subject to approval by the Chancellor and the Board of Regents.

A. Permanent Adequate Security Measures
Certain facilities and buildings on the University’s Lawrence campus and its reporting units shall be subject to adequate security measures as defined by K.S.A. 75-7c20 and approved by the Kansas Board of Regents.

ALL WEAPONS, INCLUDING THE CONCEALED CARRY OF HANDGUNS, SHALL BE PROHIBITED IN THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES:

Athletic facilities during events with anticipated attendance of 5,000 individuals or greater (e.g. Allen Fieldhouse, Memorial Stadium).

B. Temporary Adequate Security Measures
Facilities and buildings on the University’s Lawrence campus and its reporting units may be designed as subject to temporary adequate security measures. Designation of facilities and buildings subject to temporary adequate security measures shall be determined by the Provost upon review of a written application form submitted to the Office of Public Safety and receipt of a recommendation for approval by the requesting University department or unit. Department or Unit applications will only be considered when received from deans of academic units, heads of administrative departments or members of senior administration.

Campus organizations, including student organizations recognized by the Student Involvement & Leadership Center, may submit to the Office of Public Safety an application completed by the group’s senior officer or University advisor. Any non-university organization conducting an event in campus venues must have a temporary adequate security measures application completed by the appropriate representative of the University organization affiliated with the event, or by the Provost. The application will then be forwarded to the Office of Public Safety for review.

C. Application Process for Temporary Adequate Security Measures
The designation of facility or building for temporary adequate security measures, for a finite period will be based on specifications of the policies of the Kansas Board of Regents and the University, and may include any or all of the following criteria:

1.The population present in the space (human or animal).

2.The vulnerability of the population present.

3.The intended activities or use of the space (e.g. academic, research, athletic, administrative).

4.The presence of chemicals, biological agents, explosive compounds, compressed gasses, or other hazardous material(s).

5.The location of data, materials or artifacts which are irreplaceable or replacement of which would be cost prohibitive

Each application for temporary adequate security measures (Application link) shall include:

1.Sponsoring unit information, including responsible administrator.

2.Rationale for establishing temporary adequate security measures.

3.Scheduled timing for pre-event, event, and post-event secured coverage.

4.Timeline required for installation and removal of equipment and signage.
 

An application for designation for temporary adequate security measures must be received by the Office of Public Safety not less than four (4) weeks prior to the intended implementation of the adequate security measures. Review by the Office of Public Safety will occur in a timely manner so as to allow response for implementation, application amendment, or appeal if the application is denied. The Office of Public Safety will review all such applications and forward them with recommendation as to approval or denial to the Provost or his/her designee for decision.

A denied application may be appealed to the Chancellor or his/her designee. The Chancellor has ultimate authority to determine whether any location should be subject to adequate security measures as well as the longevity of temporary adequate security measures at the University.

All, temporary adequate security measures will be reported to the Chancellor or his/her designee in order to ensure compliance with Board of Regents policy requiring that the University's annual security report to the Board of Regents include information regarding all instances in which adequate security measures were implemented on an as needed, temporary basis during the prior year and the reasons therefor.

D. Signage
Designated facilities and buildings with adequate security measures will have appropriate signage clearly and conspicuously designating such areas.​

IV.     Safeguarding and Storage

A. Safeguarding Concealed Handguns

Each individual who lawfully possesses a handgun on campus shall be wholly and solely responsible for carrying, storing, and using the handgun in a safe manner and in accordance with the law, these Procedures, the University-Wide Weapons Policy, and the Kansas Board of Regents Weapons Possession Policy. This responsibility includes the obligation to be in control of the handgun at all times and to keep it secure and concealed from view when not in use for purposes provided by law.

Every handgun carried by an individual must be secured in a holster that completely covers the trigger and the entire trigger guard area and that secures any external hammer in an un-cocked position through the use of a strap or by other means. Handguns with an external safety must be carried with the safety in the “on” position. The holster must have sufficient tension or grip on the handgun to retain it in the holster even when subjected to unexpected jostling. Semiautomatic handguns must be carried without a chambered round of ammunition. Revolvers must be carried with the hammer resting on an empty cylinder.

Nothing in these Procedures or the University-Wide Weapons Policy shall be interpreted to require individuals who lawfully possess a handgun to use it in defense of others.

B. Approved Handgun Storage
KU Lawrence and reporting campuses will not provide handgun storage devices Handguns may be stored in an individual's privately-owned or leased motor vehicle when the vehicle is locked and the handgun is stored in a location within the vehicle that is not visible outside the vehicle. The University assumes no responsibility for loss or theft of concealed handguns stored in University provided storage devices or in individuals' vehicles.

C. Prohibited Storage
It is prohibited for any person to store a handgun: (1) in any University classroom, lab, office, or facility, (2) in any University housing facility unless properly secured in a storage device that meets minimum industry standards for safe-keeping of handguns; (3) in any University locker or secured storage device that is not specifically provided for handgun storage; (3) in a purse, handbag, backpack, fanny pack, briefcase or similar location that is not within the carrier’s custody and control; (4) in a motor vehicle that is unlocked or when the handgun is visible from outside the vehicle; (5) any other location and under any circumstances except as permitted by these Procedures and by state and federal law.

V.     Handgun Discharge/Intimidation of Others
Individuals who carry concealed handguns are liable for any and all damage, injury, liability, loss, cost, or expense, directly or indirectly resulting from or arising out of discharge of their handgun or violation of these Procedures or the Weapons Policy. The discharge of a weapon intentionally or unintentionally may be grounds for disciplinary action and criminal prosecution.

No person shall use the fact or possibility that he or she is carrying a concealed weapon to intimidate another person, except when done in defense of self or others. 

VI.     Violation of Policy
Violation of the University-Wide Weapons Policy Violation, local ordinances, state statutes or federal regulations will be handled within the framework of current KU policies and procedures. (See Violation of Policy section in University of Kansas University-Wide Weapons Policy).

The determination of which sanction(s), if any, that will be imposed following a determination that the University-Wide Weapons Policy or these Procedures has been violated will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Sanctions up to and including expulsion or termination from the University may be imposed.

VII.     Reporting

A. Reporting Suspected Policy/Procedure Violations
If any person believes that an individual has violated the University-Wide Weapons Policy or these Procedures, he or she should immediately report the violation by calling 9-1-1 (for immediate threats) or the Office of Public Safety at (785) 864-5900.

B. Knowingly Making a False Report
Each report of a suspected policy violation must be made in good faith. The conclusion after an investigation of a report that there has been no policy violation does not mean, by itself, that the report was not made in good faith. Knowingly making a false report of a policy violation is prohibited and will be investigated through the same process as described within these Procedures for the investigation of a suspected policy violation, with appropriate sanctions being assessed upon determination that a false report was made.

C. Reporting Lost or Stolen Handguns
An individual whose concealed handgun is lost or stolen on campus must immediately report the loss or theft to the Office of Public Safety at (785) 864-5900.