College Campus Question - Indiana

[MattBeck]

Hey guys, i have a question about possessing firearms on a college campus (specifically Purdue University) in the state of Indiana -

First, if I have a firearm in my car (on campus) am I committing a crime (potentially violating campus policy, yes, but are there legal issues here?).

Second, if I had an Indiana CCW, would this effect the legal situation here, if there is one.

From what i've read about Indiana law, it does say firearms are not allowed on school zones - I'm not sure if this is referring to public schools, or if it covers universities as well. Also, apparently there was a 'Private Schools' section of the 'Placing Off Limits' section of the law, that was apparently repealed in 2005.

Help me out here guys, thanks

 

[exar]

uhhh...this is Indiana dude...Teachers and students used to have our own gun shows in the parking lot of my old school.

Seriously though, I'm not quit sure. Noone ever cared at any school I attended in this state so I never got to test the law. I would bet it all depends on your school regs. I've heard of a few students that keep guns on campus at IU. I bet El Tejon will know if he comes around. That's his stompin' grounds up there.

 

[kludge]

I know of no state law that forbids weapons on college campuses.

 

[Siderite]

Hi, also a Purdue student here. I've been looking into the same issue.
According to this (under part B): http://www.purdue.edu/univregs/pages/reg_use_fac/spec_prohib.html
we can't.

However, it appears that the part B "unless specifically authorized by the University or required by or used in the course of a University activity and under the supervision of a University representative." is what allows the Purdue Pistol and Rifle Club to exist on campus (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~gunclub/). I can't make their callout on monday at 7pm, but on their webpage, they indicate that students are able to bring their own firearms to the range (which is in the Armory, on campus) http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~gunclub/static.php?page=faq (6th question) once they explain the university policy. I've not been to a club meeting (though I'm hoping to start this semester), so I don't know for sure.

By the way, MattBeck, where do you go to shoot? I've been going to Flat Creek Range (http://www.flatcreekrange.com/) on the south side of Lafayette, but I'd like to shoot at more than 25 yards.

-Siderite

 

[El Tejon]

Maybe. Depends on how aggressive TCPA wants to be with definition of "school grounds". I think I have a winner on that, but it has never come up here.

Could possibly be prosecuted for Criminal Trespass (0 to 365, 0 to 5K), but in all my years here in Lafayette I've never seen it. When I was a LEO (DPA with TCPA for almost 5 years) we never bothered with it and just let Purdue handle it administratively. Administrative sanctions would include probation, suspension or expulsion.

I really don't think Pat would do anything other than leave it up to Dean Akers. I will feel him out on this next time I see him as he has been so busy with the transition. Bean always said that it was not covered by the statute, but we have a new PA as of January 2nd.

TCPA did prosecute a kid from Alaska for no LTCH (he was driving on campus), but only that, and my supervisor made me pitch it. BTW, it was my only case of jury nullification. You can read about it here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=134025&highlight=jury+nullification

All Purdue students all welcome to contact me in my capacity as general counsel for the Rifle & Pistol Club (if Professor Koltick still wants me) to arrange for a day of shooting at Wildcat Valley Rifle and Pistol Club, http://www.wvrpc.org/. I will bring the fun toys, you guys bring the lunch money! Telephone is on my website.

Stay out of trouble over there--don't be stupid with booze, girls or guns.