[Drizzt]

DPS finds gun ammo in Hamilton

DPS officers confiscated gun paraphernalia, including boxes of bullets, Monday night from a Hamilton Complex residence hall room

Caron Alarab
Crime/Safety/Transportation Reporter
January 30, 2003

Avid hunter and University freshman David Gantman aims to shoot down ducks at least twice a week when he has the time. But when he came home from a weekend away to find that the Department of Public Safety had confiscated all his ammunition, Gantman felt like he'd been shot down instead.
"I thought only firearms were an issue," he said. "I think (DPS) handled it well; I'm just glad to get it all back."

On Monday night, DPS reported the confiscation of several boxes of ammunition -- among related items -- from a room in Hamilton Complex. Gantman, who has hunted for more than nine years, said he stores his hunting rifle and shotgun at a facility off-campus, but had figured it was okay to keep ammunition in his room.

"I think it's ridiculous," his neighbor Mike Buchalter said. "It's not like he had a gun."

According to the DPS report, a student residence hall patroller -- or community service officer -- had been doing checks Monday in Tingle Hall when several boxes of ammunition were spotted at 9:25 p.m. through Room 102's open door. DPS Associate Director Tom Hicks said the Eugene Police Department was contacted for assistance before two complex directors, three DPS officers, three community service officers and an EPD officer proceeded to the location.

"Having ammunition is not a crime by EPD standards," EPD spokeswoman Kerry Delf said. "It just isn't permissible to store it on University property."

Around 9:50 p.m., the seven officers and two managers approached the student's room, confiscated ammunition and other items, and searched for firearms.

Gantman was out of town at the time, but his roommate, freshman Tommy Franzen, witnessed the procedure.

"They came in, saw the ammunition and said, 'Where are the guns?'" Franzen said. The confiscated items included a gun clip -- the bullet chamber inserted into the gun -- a rifle scope, several empty shotgun and rifle shells, three unopened boxes of duck-hunting shotgun bullets and 50 rifle rounds. Hicks said the items were then immediately placed in a "saferoom" on the bottom level of the building.

When Gantman got back in town on Tuesday, he found a letter in his mailbox and called his complex director, Michael Smith. Gantman said Smith instructed him to attend a meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday for further information about he incident. When Gantman attended, he found he had been invited to his own eviction hearing.

"(Smith) didn't tell me what the meeting was for," Gantman said. "They probably should have, because I showed up in my gym clothes."

At the meeting, Gantman said he was instructed to remove the confiscated items from the premises, read his student housing contract by Feb. 3 and create a "policy bulletin board" -- designed to address common false assumptions about the contract -- to be approved and posted in his hall by Feb.15.

Students found with such paraphernalia are sanctioned in accordance with the Student Conduct Code, Director of Residence Life Sandy Schoonover said. She said University officials cannot comment on open investigations.

"University Housing is always concerned about the safety and well-being of the students," she said

Prior to the incident, Gantman said he had posed a question about firearms to a DPS officer who had been responding to a different incident in the building. After the officer left, Gantman said he was under the impression that only the possession of firearms, not ammunition, conflicted with the Student Conduct Code. But University officials say he should have checked his housing contract instead of asking an officer.

"We want to remind the campus community that firearms and ammunition are not allowed on campus," Hicks said, "even with a concealed weapons permit."

http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/01/30/3e39613b81006

:confused:

[Skunkabilly]

Eeep. I'm surprised my room didn't get searched with my torn up targets and Confederate flag tacked up on the wall!

[Mike Irwin]

Pretty obvious that the story writer didn't know squat about firearms...

"duck-hunting shotgun bullets..."

Jesus Christ... :rolleyes:

[BenW]

gun paraphernalia
There is oh so much I could say about the stupidity of this article and the atrocious reporting language, but so I don't blow a gasket, I'll just leave my comments to the above quote. Gun PARAPHERNALIA?????????? Is owning firearms equipment and accessories now equated with illegal drug use???

Okay -- I guess I blew a gasket anyway. I have to go calm down now...:cuss:

[Mike Irwin]

"Is owning firearms equipment and accessories now equated with illegal drug use???"

It's amazing what you can do wtih a .45 barrel and a piece of window screening.... :D

[treeprof]

a student residence hall patroller -- or community service officer

A mall ninja with a BA degree?

[Gray Peterson]

This is a major violation of the state preemption statute. At the moment, TriMet (the public transit system here in the Portland area) currently bans weapons on it's bus and MAX systems, even with a CHL.

At the moment, that's under challenge, because the rule was written before either the shall-issue law was passed or the preemption statute (1989 and 1995, respectively). Beforehand, Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties were California style crony issuance until the state legislature said no more and passed the shall-issue law. However, TriMet never changed it's rules to comply with it.

TriMet's legal department has been working on it, and it looks like they agree that the state gives them absolutely zero authority to throw out CHL holders. I've been in communication with TriMet's legal team on this, and they will suggest a repeal or a rewrite of the rule. However, once they do that, the TriMet general manager must send it to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors are appointed by the Governor of the State. Since for the last 16 years, the governor's mansion has been controlled by the Democrats, we can be sure that they will obstruct any attempt to comply with the law.

When the hearings do occur, we have to pack to the meeting room, and make it very clear that if they refuse to repeal the rule, they will be sued. EVERYONE pro-gun activist attending must say that. Right now, TriMet's under a lot of financial pain because of the loss of Measure 28, and if we make it clear to them that we're going to drain them by the pocketbook with their legal team (Who generally agrees with us on this issue), they'll comply.

We need to start doing that to these universities, too.

[Airwolf]

BenW got the same button pushed that I did.

This characterization is the most damning insight to where the anti's are leading this fight.

War On Drugs™, War On Terror™....Can the War On Guns™ be far behind?

[rock jock]

the seven officers and two managers approached the student's room, confiscated ammunition and other items, and searched for firearms.
Nine people! To confiscate a few rounds of ammo??!! This is totally pathetic. It is scary how wussified these people are. I won't even go into how utterly stupid it is that a rifle scope is verboten. :banghead:

[atek3]

edited

[Pinned&Recessed]

I'm stuck in University Housing (Dorm) here in Texas, and you would think that with the stereotype of Texas being full of cowboys with sixguns on their hips, that guns/ammo would be cool.

They're not. I am prohibited from protecting myself. I'm putting through the Texas CCW paper work now, despite the fact that I can't carry 90% of the time. The school is on a Jihad against guns despite the fact that in the past three semesters there have been about 2 dozen muggings, 4 rapes and on Friday, a girl was held-up at GUNPOINT in a parking lot.

A few weeks ago in my dorm, a guy had a non-firing dummy Mauser K98 in his room. Somehow the cops got called and the "rifle" was confiscated. He says the cops were pretty cool with it, but the school admins absolutely crapped themselves. He says that they are not going to give it back and are going to give it to the local PD to throw into a blast furnace. Lest anyone forget, it's a dummy rifle. Nothing more than a big awkward club.

With all the crap going on in the world, the crimes occuring on Campus and the fact that there are a TON of "Student-Visa" type of people at the school, I'd feel far more safe with my .357 than having to rely on an over-worked and stretched-out Campus Police.

In the interest of Liability, CYA crap and the fact that most college kids are liberal trash that would piss themselves if they see a gun, I have been disarmed.

I've heard that in Texas, Long guns are legal in the trunk, even without a CCW. Don't Ask, Don't Tell. :evil:

Yeah, I'm more than a little pissed.:cuss:

[atek3]

Walk around defenseless. When attacked, use KY and bend over.

atek3

[Azrael256]

He says that they are not going to give it back and are going to give it to the local PD to throw into a blast furnace. Um... the h*ll they are. This is where you go get a lawyer and never have to pay tuition again.

[John G]

Yeah, thank God they took away his scope. I mean, he might have looked through it!:rolleyes:

[Pinned&Recessed]

Um... the h*ll they are. This is where you go get a lawyer and never have to pay tuition again.

He's a buddy of mine and I'm pushing for him to get the meanest, most ornery lawyer out there, but seeing that he's a broke-*ss college student and his parents are AWOL, I think he's saying F it. A 50 dollar rifle is not worth the legal fees or time. I know it's about principle, not money, but you gotta pick your battles. Unfortunately, despite my best advice, I think he's gonna make like the French and surrender.

Sucks being poor.:banghead:

[Double Naught Spy]

Even though I am decidedly pro gun, the problem here is not with the university for this incident, but with the student for possessing items stated as not being acceptible in the dorms. There are a variety of items that might be included on the list that are inclusive of non-illegal items, but still not allowed. The student signed the housing contract and no doubt didn't pay attention to the stipulations of the contract. I don't like the conditions of such contracts either, but whether or not we like those conditions isn't relevant at this point. What is relevant is that the student broke the rules that he agreed to abide by in writing. Fault the student for agreeing to such crap. He did so voluntarily.

Pinned&Recessed, you are completely wrong that the UH will not allow you to protect yourself. While they may have regulations against guns, and most Texas universities do, it matters not as I recall as it is state law that guns are not allowed on campus except by LEOs and special circumstances (such as hunter education classes conducted on college campuses). The rifle in your trunk is equally illegal, although it won't be illegal off campus in most areas.

You said you were putting through your paperwork for your "ccw" and so I take it from your comments that you have just requested the paperwork and have not actually had the CHL class yet, is that right? I think you will find the CHL class to be very informative and give you a better understanding about said issues.

Neither the universities or the laws that prohibit guns on campus keep you from protecting yourself, however. They just state that you can't be doing it with a firearm. More over, many universities will have policies against many other types of weapons that you are not allowed to possess on campus.

Remember, you were the one who agreed to attend school there and in Texas. You are welcome to search for gun friendly campuses here or elsewhere, but I would not count on finding many. You have been disarmed? Maybe, but it was YOUR choice. The only way I know you can attend college and carry a gun without being and LEO in this country is by mailorder and distance learning. Might I suggest the University of Phoenix who has a well known on-line distance learning program?

Take the time and become more familiar with the laws here. It is a CHL and not a CCW and our CHLs have absolutely nothing to do with any other type of firearm other than a handgun and nothing to do with any other type of weapon. A CHL will not give you permission to carry on a college campus. Also, I think you will find the laws pertaining to the carrying of long guns to be less restrictive than you currently believe in that they don't have to be in the trunk and you can carry in non-restricted areas with a rifle in a back window rifle rack if you are so inclined. You probably won't see that much around Houston, but in some of the more rural areas, it isn't that uncommon although it is much less common than it was 20 years ago.

But don't take my word for it. I haven't checked up on any laws pertaining to the open carry of long guns in vehicles in a long time as I don't open carry any.

atek3, your advice is a suggestion of the CHL carrier to break Texas law if discovered under any circumstances, whether by accident or because the person had to produce the gun in a conflict situation. It won't be the admin. fudging themselves.

[Nightfall]

...included a gun clip -- the bullet chamber inserted into the gun...
I could rant and rave about guns laws, right to self-defense tools, etc. But for once I'd like to stay a bit more light spirited. In that tone;

LMFAO!! :D

[Pinned&Recessed]

DNS,

Thanks for the information. You are correct, I am about to take the CHL class itself. I have just received my paperwork actually. I am sure the class will answer my questions.

However, it sounds like you are blaming the students, including myself, for going to a university that disarms us. Like gun-owners living in gun-unfriendly states like CA, MD and NJ, I just cannot just up and move and, like you said, pro-gun universities are a severe rarity.

Why not get pissed at the state legislature or the Campus councils that come up with this crap? I didn't WANT this, it just is. And being that out of the 24,000 students here, I'm probably one out of 100 that would actually raise hell about this. 100/24000 is not very effective. The sqeaky wheel and all that.

The Texas Land Commisioner, (I forget his name), was one of the original authors of the Texas CHL legislation and I have heard that he gave a speech and when he found out that A&M outlaws firearms on campus, he promised to change things to allow lawful carry on Texas Campuses. I've written his office, but I'm not holding my breath. The blissninnes are too powerful.

As to the fact that I can still defend myself, I'm sorry, but properly used, a firearm is the single most effective form of protection. A high-velocity lead slug is far more effective than seasoning-spray or an edged/contact weapon. I do NOT want to dance with the guy. So the school/state has taken away my most effective form of self defense.

I am not going to break the law and carry anyway. And despite the fact that I am in the last likely group to be attacked; young, fairly well-built male, it only has to happen once.

It's just indicative of the nanny-state that I hate so much: "Give us your money, let us take care of you, we know what's best for you."

Uh-uh, sorry, not me. I'm not buying it. Thanks for the information though. I didn't know that Texas law was fairly lax about long guns in vehicles, and I'm glad it is.

Thanks again.

[MeekandMild]

"Lord what FOOLS these mortals be!" Wm Shakespeare.

Eeep. I'm surprised my room didn't get searched with my torn up targets and Confederate flag tacked up on the wall! Skunk, you are definitely in the wrong quadrant of the galaxy. You know if you emigrate to God's Country you could join a Confederate reenactment group and go to battles where you get to wave said flag and shoot (albeit blanks) at the yankees. ;)

I'm sure that Georgia Tech, Auburn or Ole Miss could give you an education equal to that sissy school of yours. I hear they even have a book at Georgia Tech. :p

[Zak Smith]

Did I miss it? Were those items specifically disallowed by his housing contract?

-z

[ahadams]

They'll probably have to hold a convention in order to get enough folks to go in and make the siezure! yeesh!:rolleyes:

[MN_Strelok]

...a rifle scope, several empty shotgun and rifle shells, three unopened boxes...

So not only did they send all these people up there to take a scope and some rounds, but they felt obligated to take loose casings too???

I sure feel safer knowing those are "off the street". :scrutiny:

[CZ-75]

community service officer

That like a Political Officer?

Sucks being poor.

And when he isn't, guess who won't be making a donation? :D

Yeah, thank God they took away his scope. I mean, he might have looked through it!

Or go up to the top of the tower and start shooting with it on top of his "sniper" rifle. :rolleyes:

[Devonai]

In the early part of 1997, I was a college student living on campus. I knew perfectly well that firearms were not permitted on campus, both as a factor of state law and of the rules of the college. It was a major factor in convincing my friends to get an apartment off campus next fall, which we did.

I received my concealed weapons permit two weeks after turning 21, and was faced with the dilemma of whether to carry on campus or not. I ended up transferring to another university to pursue a criminal justice degree. Still, state law forbid me from carrying despite my newly minted permit.

I am unabashedly unashamed to admit that I carried at my new university, every day and every night that I had class. I look back with the kind of sobriety that comes from experience, knowing how screwed I would have been if I'd been forced into a self-defense situation. But riding the blue line into Boston each day, I took a great deal of comfort from the Beretta at my side. To this day I wonder just how the situation would have played out.

Now I've got my degree and with it no longer need to visit the off-limit campuses defined by my dear peers in the legistlature. I was safe and independant while earning my degree, but would the cost have been worth it?

[atek3]

You had a massachusetts CCW?
***?

atek3

edited to say:
i can spell massachusetts I swear