College Student Protection

[gotarheels03]

I carry my 3" benchmade mini pika 99% of the time on campus. The only times I don't are when I'm going to the bars or getting hammered at a party.

I've had people freak out and get scared when I take it out to open stuff. I use it for all kinds of things. Most people assume knives are illegal on campus. I even had campus PD stop me and tell me it was illegal once.(I had it clipped to the outside not inside of my pocket....)

University policy is strange and vague. Here it is in full

A student shall not possess, use, or threaten to use any of the following items:

1. Any firearm (including any weapon or instrument from which a shot, projectile, or other object may be discharged by force, whether operable or inoperable, loaded or unloaded);

2. Any deadly weapon, defined as any instrument, item, or material readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury;

3. Any BB gun, pellet gun, air rifle, paint gun, sword (whether decorative or not), or other martial arts weapon;

4. Any bomb, knife (other than an ordinary pocketknife carried in a closed position, with a blade of three inches or less), switchblade, billy club, blackjack, bludgeon, metal knuckles, slingshot, razor, bicycle chain, or ice pick; or

5. Any explosive chemical or device including a substance or a combination of substances possessed or prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, including fireworks and illegal or potentially dangerous chemicals.



#1 could ban even slingshots, 2 is so vague it could ban almost any self-defense object short of pepper spray, but then #4 says a pocketknife is OK. Ive always taken #5 as allowing ammunition, though I doubt it does.

 

[SniperStraz]

2. Any deadly weapon, defined as any instrument, item, or material readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury;

That's just about anything you can think of. If you stick an apple in someone's mouth who has a severe cold they could die. If you take a pen and stick it someone's neck the could incur "serious physical injury" or death. So I guess that's just a blanket statement that enables the school to prosecute anyone for anything.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I'm gonna buck the trend. Don't bring a knife to campus. Pepper spray yes, knife no way. Most campuses don't allow knives and if you are caught with a weapons violation it WILL go on your transcript, so when you're kicked out and have to apply to other colleges, you'll have to explain the "have you ever been convicted/charged/etc. with a violent crime/weapons violation on the application... knife posession or worse, knife fight will not look good. If you're lucky and can CCW, good, if not, pepper spray. There's alternatives to knives that can act as stabbing weapons... a fountain pen, for instance. Keep one in your shirt pocket and you'll look sophisticated. I know I'm going to catch flak for that, but I'm working on my PhD now, I've been in college for quite some time and I can tell you pretty much how people will react to you. Pulling a knife is less PC than pulling a gun. Can you fight with a knife? Even if you've been trained, try explaining that to a police officer when the other guy's skin chunks and blood are on you. I'm not saying you shouldn't be able to defend yourself, but I think half these people that are pro-knife carry on campus, haven't been to a campus in at least 10 years. Weapons violations are VERY serious. I've contacted around to find out what is allowed. Call campus police and find out what they allow... most of the time, campus PDs will beat around the issue, but in short, Pepper spray=OK, stun guns= really pushing it, knife=weapons violation, gun= you wish or (if you live in a really forgiving state, go ahead).

 

[bogie]

College student protection?

Latex.

 

[gotarheels03]

I see no quote button anywhere....

Sniperstraz-

Yeah, thats one of those rediculous "blanket statements." Hell a textbook could fit that definition. I find it rediculous that they have such a statement, and then in #4 specifically allow pocketknives of 3" or less in length as if they're not "readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury."

 

[darkknight]

truth is I dont carry anything on me anywhere other than my backpack. I am a relatively big guy (6'3 220) but i never felt the need for a weapon. I have a couple of small folding knives in my room but the fact is I use them to open mail or boxes I recieve and nothing more. I also have a can of oc spray in my car but thats thier, because I have to drive cross country to get to school otherwise I woudn't have it. I think people who say use your brain are 100% correct if a situation makes you feel uncomfortable then you shouldnt be around it. I have walked to bars and had to walk home alone and never had a problem. Most girls I know have a can of oc spray and thats it and they feel safe with just that.

 

[gaudio5]

THUNDER FIVE is all i have to say

 

[myusername]

I'm in Louisiana. This is what the law is concerning "firearm free zones" and schools which the universities are part of.

RS 14:95.2 §95.2. Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions or firearm-free zone

A. Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone is unlawful and shall be defined as possession of any firearm or dangerous weapon, on one's person, at any time while on a school campus, on school transportation, or at any school sponsored function in a specific designated area including but not limited to athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities, or within one thousand feet of any school campus.

B. For purposes of this Section, the following words have the following meanings:

(1) "School" means any elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, or university in this state.

(2) "Campus" means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property.

(3) "School bus" means any motor bus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.

(4) "Nonstudent" means any person not registered and enrolled in that school or a suspended student who does not have permission to be on the school campus.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:

(1) A federal, state, or local law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties.

(2) A school official or employee acting during the normal course of his employment or a student acting under the direction of such school official or employee.

(3) Any person having the written permission of the principal.

(4) The possession of a firearm occurring within one thousand feet of school property and entirely on private property, or entirely within a private residence, or in accordance with a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1.

(5) Any constitutionally protected activity which cannot be regulated by the state, such as a firearm contained entirely within a motor vehicle.

(6) Any student carrying a firearm to or from a class, in which he is duly enrolled, that requires the use of the firearm in the class.

(7) A student enrolled or participating in an activity requiring the use of a firearm including but not limited to any ROTC function under the authorization of a university.

(8) A student who possesses a firearm in his dormitory room or while going to or from his vehicle or any other person with permission of the administration.

D.(1) Whoever commits the crime of carrying a firearm, or a dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school-sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than five years.

(2) Whoever commits the crime of carrying a firearm, or a dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, on school property or in a firearm-free zone with the firearm or dangerous weapon being used in the commission of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) on school property or in a firearm-free zone, shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both. Any sentence issued pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph and any sentence issued pursuant to a violation of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) shall be served consecutively. Upon commitment to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections after conviction for a crime committed on school property, at a school-sponsored function or in a firearm-free zone, the department shall have the offender evaluated through appropriate examinations or tests conducted under the supervision of the department. Such evaluation shall be made within thirty days of the order of commitment.

E. Lack of knowledge that the prohibited act occurred on or within one thousand feet of school property shall not be a defense.

F.(1) School officials shall notify all students and parents of the impact of this legislation and shall post notices of the impact of this Section at each major point of entry to the school. These notices shall be maintained as permanent notices.

(2)(a) If a student is detained by the principal or other school official for violation of this Section or the school principal or other school official confiscates or seizes a firearm or concealed weapon from a student while upon school property, at a school function, or on a school bus, the principal or other school official in charge at the time of the detention or seizure shall immediately report the detention or seizure to the police department or sheriff's department where the school is located and shall deliver any firearm or weapon seized to that agency.

(b) The confiscated weapon shall be disposed of or destroyed as provided by law.

(3) If a student is detained pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection for carrying a concealed weapon on campus, the principal shall immediately notify the student's parents.

(4) If a person is arrested for carrying a concealed weapon on campus by a university or college police officer, the weapon shall be given to the sheriff, chief of police, or other officer to whom custody of the arrested person is transferred as provided by R.S. 17:1805(B).

G. Any principal or school official in charge who fails to report the detention of a student or the seizure of a firearm or concealed weapon to a law enforcement agency as required by Paragraph (F)(2) of this Section within seventy-two hours of notice of the detention or seizure may be issued a misdemeanor summons for a violation hereof and may be fined not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to not more than forty hours of community service, or both. Upon successful completion of the community service or payment of the fine, or both, the arrest and conviction shall be set aside as provided for in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894(B).

Acts 1991, No. 833, §1; Acts 1992, No. 197, §1; Acts 1993, No. 844, §1; Acts 1993, No. 1031, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 25, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 38, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 107, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1236, §1.

The schools all say that firearms are not allowed in dorms and that you will be kicked out if caught and arrested. So far this is the only law I can find so I don't know what they would charge one with.

 

[helpless]

Self Defense is a Human Right. Not a privilege. I understand you are worried about getting in trouble, I would be more worried about being dead. It is my belief that one trumps the other when it comes to firearm free zones.

 

[VacuumJockey]

Also, the Animal has some choice words about self-defense. Best of all, many of his ideas are quite inexpensive -- and that may also matter to a student. :^)

 

[R33P3R]

Wow, as soon as I was able, I purchased my first handgun, a Taurus SS flush hammered 1.5 inch .357. I carried it to college every day until i graduated, i have me CCW, and it was concealed, until today nobody knew i even had it. I always figured if i needed to use it, i would deal with the consequences afterwards.

 

[Soap]

FWIW, I'm also a college student attending the Capitalist Robber Baron Academy, aka "B-School".

I'm glad people agree with my brain theory! You don't need many tools on campus other than that.

How many of you responding are ladies? Obviously guys are going to "feel" safer even if they don't have guns.

I have 2 college age girls and am fuming about colleges being statistically very dangerous for young women and the college elites not allowing their young ladies to protect themselves from the rapists who don't care about the "No guns allowed" signs

All of my female friends travel in groups and they watch out for each other at the bars/parties, if they didn't, then I would worry. Oh, and I'm just a call away for a ride home...even though I have a two-seater (it sometimes takes quite a few trips) And since someone threw up in my old M3 a few years ago, I carry a garbage bag for upholstery protection

Also, make sure they practice good apartment/dorm security. Many college age girls are naive and will open the door for anybody.

 

[TheLastBoyScout]

College student protection?

Latex.

Exactly. I can't imagine actually needing a weapon on campus at El Cid. Never heard of any stories of anyone needing one.

Damn near everyone has a knife of some kind in their room, from folders (near-ubiquitous) to Kabars and bayonets among the contract cadets. But they're more for the hell of it.


I have firearms stored off campus, but they're primarily for recreation, not protection. Only protective use I'd have for 'em would be to grab em if we do another hurricane evac...

 

[6_gunner]

I'm surprised so many colleges make a big deal about having knives. At my school knives are no big deal. I work maintenance at my school and I actually used to carry an Air Force survival knife while working without anybody ever saying anything to me. A lot of guys even have swords, usually as decorations in their dorm rooms.
I keep a shotgun in my truck for SHTF situations. It would be frowned upon, but there's not any danger of it being seen or of having my truck searched.
I go to a pretty conservative school, where many of the students and much of the faculty are pro-2A, so that makes a difference.

 

[DaughterofJob]

I am a female college student, and my college is in a relatively bad part of town. I generally feel safe during the day, but often need to be on campus after dark, which does not feel quite so safe. I carry a hideaway knife. http://www.hideawayknife.com Its pretty easy to conceal, and according to my college's code of conduct, is legal as the blade is less than 3" long. This knife goes around your index and middle fingers, making it really hard for someone to take it away from you. I would highly recommend it; although I have never had to use it, it is good to know it's there. This thread has me wanting to go out and buy a surefire even more now........

 

[razorburn]

bogie has it right. Nothing's allowed here, but I've never felt in danger though I'm never home before 4am on the weekends. I suppose I'd be more alert if I saw an old guy creeping around campus at that time, or anything else that looks out of place, but pretty relaxed with the other students and all.

 

[myusername]

At my school there has been armed robberies in the parking lots in the evenings and some muggings turned assaults. This semester has been pretty quiet so I guess things are getting better. The school lists crime stats but it is based on arrests not reports so that makes it look really good to someone who doesn't pay much attention to the report.

 

[agtman]

Where's John Belushi when you need him ...?

"***when I'm going to the bars or getting hammered at a [college] party."

WOW! That just gave me a total flashback, dude.

Think very late '70s, northeastern college scene, pre-AIDS era. Ramones, Blonde, Cars, Frampton. "Animal House" in full swing, sororities GONE WILD, frat' party weekend, Togas too. About 4:00 a.m., they'd start playing Jonathan Richman or the N.Y. Dolls ...

Man, I can still feel the hangover ...

Anyhoo, just do what I did: main squeeze then was, literally, blackbelt barbi - kidd-you-not. Tae Kwon Do-trained and a relatively hot blond.

1979 was, of course, also pre-10mm AUTO, but even in those days I felt quite, ah, "protected." No need for a Trojan, or even a Spartan.

 

[357wheelgunner]

A friend of mine used to pack a 3" .357 K-frame in a belly band when he was going to college No one ever knew....

 

[Damien45]

How big is the flashlight you carry? Usually I like to carry things in between my jeans and my body usually hanging them on a heavy belt. I'm guessing it's something like a medium sized maglite?

Not sure if anyone touched on this yet, but my money goes to SureFire for my illumination needs.

E2D Executive Defender is what I would suggest. Small, BRIGHT, and has teeth. The crenellated Strike Bezel can be used for personal protection. In most low light/no light areas, shine this in the eyes of the BG and you have bought a couple seconds to act, and escape.

 

[357wheelgunner]

I just got my Executive Defender on Tuesday! Really nice light, very easy to clip to my pocket and have all the time.

 

[inthemoss]

thankfully i live in a semi-hick town. so totin a knife isnt all that bad. i've even seen ranch hands with the pliers still in their hip. the best thing is to not walk around with an ipod. i followed my roomate all the way to our house and he never even noticed me. you can also find out where ther are those little booths that campus security set up and take that path as much as possible.

 

[kd7nqb]

1. Good Judgement
2. Head on swivel
3. Folding knife

in that order

Frankly I hate that my school has a no firearms policy but I live with it for now.

 

[Damien45]

1. Good Judgement
2. Head on swivel
3. Folding knife

in that order

Frankly I hate that my school has a no firearms policy but I live with it for now.

I would swap 1 and 2. Gotta see what's coming first, action is always faster than reaction.

 

[Autolycus]

Special K: What state are you in?

I am really tired of being disarmed in school. I am currently in Illinois State University and I live off campus. My area is flooded with drunks on the weekend and there are many fights and drunken kids walking around starting them.

I just think it is rediculous that I am not allowed to carry my gun for protection. I want to transfer out of state but the cost is to expensive. I really think that Utah is awesome for forcing the U of Utah to allow students to carry.