St. Louis- firearms on school owned property, but not on campus...

[Texpatriate]

We're looking into moving to St. Louis, MO for graduate school next fall. As I was reading through the housing brochure I noticed that the school owns some apartments about 12 miles from campus for married couples with kids that they rent out to students for cheap. I'm thinking- Cool! Then, as I'm reading through their housing manual, I notice that it says this:

No explosives, flammables, guns, bows and arrows, or other deadly weapons are permitted in [name of institution] housing or on any part of the campus, including automobiles, at any time.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

My understanding (assumption?) has always been that a "landlord" cannot prevent a resident from owning and storing a firearm on the leased property, as this is considered the resident's home. Am I incorrect in my understanding? Does this somehow change when the landlord is a college or university? I understand that college campuses can prevent students from having guns in an on campus dorm (don't agree with it, I just know it is true), but we are talking about an apartment complex 12 miles from campus. Can they legally do that? I am a gun owner, ccw permit holder, and a bow hunter, so this rule is aimed right at me. By the way, this is a very politically conservative Christian private institution.

 

[zahc]

Very good question. I too am sometimes confused over college campuses and how they sometimes seem like mini-governments that can do whatever they please.

 

[Car Knocker]

Your understanding is not correct.

The apartment owners can include exclusionary clauses in their leases that may limit legal behavior. For example, a lessor may require that tenants not smoke in their apartment or on apartment premises. Tenant's ability to have pets may be restricted. Overnight guests may be prohibited. Possession of firearms may be prohibited. Alcohol may be prohibited. Using your apartment for a home-based business may be prohibited.

The lease is a contract between you and the lessor. When you sign it, you agree to the terms contained in it and are legally bound by those terms as long as they meet federal /state/local governmental standards. If you don't like the terms, look elsewhere for housing.

 

[Technosavant]

Let's see... conservative Christian institution... must be Concordia. Could be SLU, but I don't know how conservative they are.

You can do pretty well if you are willing to drive 12-20 miles to school.

My fiancee lives (and I will join her in Dec., after the wedding) at Sun River Village apartments in St. Charles. It is right at 364 & 94, so it is pretty convenient to western St. Louis County. I think 2 bedroom apartments are going for about $650 or less right now. Phone number is (636) 928-7900.

It wouldn't hurt to have more High Roaders out there. No restrictions on firearms (believe me, I read the lease very closely for those).

 

[CleverNickname]

No explosives, flammables, guns, bows and arrows, or other deadly weapons are permitted in [name of institution] housing or on any part of the campus, including automobiles, at any time.

Ask them how you're supposed to drive to school, if it's against the rules to have gasoline in your car's tank.

 

[dpesec]

They don't want you to drive. They want you to either walk or take public transport. After all, remember universities are traditioanlly liberal and looney.

 

[bogie]

Dude, I'm in St. Louis... Which school are you talking about? I can likely point you toward a neighborhood that'll be nicer, maybe cheaper, maybe closer...

 

[Texpatriate]

Nice try Techno. You're close, but no cigar. Thanks for the apartment tip, I'll look into it. Covenant Theological Seminary is the school I'm looking at. Hardly what I would call liberal and looney, which is why I am so suprised. Not to turn this into an outright political thread, but I would be willing to bet that 99% of their professors vote strait ticket republican. I am not completely sure that this clause applies to the off campus housing that they own, but it seems like maybe it does. If I end up going to school there, I wonder what would be the appropriate course of action toward encouraging the administration to change that policy? Bogie, my understanding is that its in Chesterfield, which I hear is pretty high dollar. What do you know of in that area that is reasonable?

 

[Technosavant]

Dude... I know that area well. You are in my turf. PM sent.

 

[Flyboy]

You'd be surprised how many churches beat the gun control drum. I left the ELCA over that issue, among others. It's the whole "nonviolence" thing, taken too far.

'Course, for a university, it could also be insurance-related. My frat house has that rule, too, despite being privately-owned (i.e. not University property). Insurance company mandate. Damned insurance companies are ruining everything.

(Side note: has anybody ever successfully sued an insurance company for "preventable injuries" stemming from being defenseless by policy?)

 

[svtruth]

Aren't the books flammable?

 

[HankB]

1. Take a look at the lease agreement and see what IT says before you sign it.

2. Check to see what your state LAW says regarding tenant/landlord covenants. Landlords have rights, but they're NOT absolute. (For example, I doubt that they could legally prohibit black people from renting or visiting.)

3. I wouldn't advocate someone break a LAW, but when it comes to RULES that don't have actual LAW behind them, well, I was never a stickler for following mere RULES enacted by some bureaucrat.

4. Use discretion if you question anyone at the school about this. Sometimes merely asking the question may subject you to unwanted scrutiny.

5. Handguns fit in briefcases and duffle bags. Most rifles and shotguns will fit in golf bags.

 

[Texpatriate]

I seriously doubt that my denomination advocates gun control. I know too many pastors and church members in my denomination (Presbyterian Church in America) who are gun nuts and/or hunters. I think the insurance issue is the more likely answer. Another presbyterian denomination that I know of actually has official statements that have been issued by their General Assembly advocating gun control, but not the PCA. I have looked into it and to my knowledge we have taken no official position on the issue. Silence can speak loudly.

 

[Gifted]

My fiancee lives (and I will join her in Dec., after the wedding) at Sun River Village apartments in St. Charles. It is right at 364 & 94, so it is pretty convenient to western St. Louis County. I think 2 bedroom apartments are going for about $650 or less right now. Phone number is (636) 928-7900.

We have that in Overland. I'm splitting a townhouse with my brother, for 650. The three bedrooms are only a hundred or so more-it would be cheaper for us to get a third roomate in one of those, but oh well.

Sheesh. Where were all these StL guys when I was trying for a shoot out at Reifschieder? We had three people(not counting some of my friends) one of which was from a different forum. Perhaps I should try again for something.

 

[Texpatriate]

I keep getting duplicate posts- anyone know why?

 

[bogie]

Yow... I work in Chesterfield, and I don't even know about that place...

Let's see... There's a not-bad mobile home park near the Chesterfield mall - mostly students, etc. - may not be bad if you don't have kids, and view it as temporary housing. Lots of apartments in the area, but the tend to be a little pricy.

Let's see... Valley Park, Fenton, and Dogtown in the City would likely be my choices. But you'll be driving.

Going west, it's 19 miles to Wentzville, but you may find something affordable a little further in.

You can more or less forget public transportation that far out. Used to ride the bus from Dogtown, and it was a good 1.5-2.5 hour trip.