Would you take a gun?

[Hunter125]

I am going to grad school in the 'awesome' state of IL. Obviously we are not permitted to carry at all on campus and the school has a strict no weapons policy, at least on campus. I was witness to an incident where a former student was arrested and banned from campus for having a stun gun, although he was also showing it off and letting other guys shock themselves. I'm still amazed at the stupidity of some people.

My current situation is that I am going on a trip with the school soon and will be going to several other states that I am licensed to CCW in. I was planning on taking my pistol in my duffel bag to have at the hotel room, I actually wasn't planning on carrying while on the trip. I was reminding my wife of the passcode to the gun safe in case she needs it while I am gone and she asked me if I was planning on taking a pistol on the trip with me. I said I was and she got really upset and is worried that if I do, someone will make me and I will get kicked out of school or suspended.

My thought is that what I was planning to do was completely legal in every state we would be in, any kind of trouble that might come of it would only be from the school. I say so be it, at least I'll be prepared, but now I'm questioning it.

What would you all do in my situation?

 

[chhodge69]

I would do a ton of research and be 100% sure could I stay legal. If I could not I would re-think the trip altogether. A grand-tour of disarmed victim zones is not high on my list of travel destinations.

 

[mrmeangenes]

The very fact you're pausing to ask suggests you have acquired some real wisdom along the way !

 

[mljdeckard]

Your wife is probably right.

As for what I would do, I am glad I live in a state where I don't have to worry about this. I tell everyone that if they don't like where they live, they should move. While I am not naive enough to think that everyone can just jump up and do this, because life circumstance (like being in the middle of school) make it difficult or impossible, but at the same time, if it were me, I would make some hard decisions about making sure I am doing what I want to do, where I want to do it, with whom I WANT to do it. If I'm not, I make a plan to get there as soon as possible.

 

[Hunter125]

Well thank you mrmeangenes, I do hope that's true. And chhodge69, it's a trip required for a class I'm taking, so it's not really an option of going or not, sadly enough. I think it will be an interesting trip, I'm just not crazy about going unarmed.

 

[Westy53]

Make sure you will not be going to visit any place with metal detectors or where it is illegal to carry (post office, federal buildings). Carry it and don't advertise. It would be better to get kicked out of school if you had to use it than be caught without it if you needed it. My two cents.

 

[Rail Driver]

Leave the pistol at home and take a decently stout cane with you. "They" (college admin, TSA, cops, nobody) can't ask you about it or take it from you due to the ADA. Don't take a sword cane or some lameness... Just a good stout length of wood about an inch across will do you right. I prefer a pistol grip cane, but the old fashioned shepherd's crook style are good as well.

There are a few threads in the non-firearm weapons area about canes and walking sticks. Very good reading for you in your current situation (school in IL, trip with school).

 

[fal762x51]

Concealed means concealed.

 

[LibShooter]

The way I see it... when you signed up to attend the university you signed up to follow the rules while on campus or school functions. If there's a policy forbidding guns, then you don't take a gun.

 

[Wicked1911]

If you don't want to play by the rules, don't play the game. If you don't care if you're a felon, take it with you.

 

[FROGO207]

How much do you want to graduate from that particular school??
What is your level of actual security without your firearm in this situation??
Would a non lethal substitute be any better option if you were "outed"??
If this is a school function would you be bound to the rules set up by the school because you are participating in their sponsored trip??
Do you really have to go on that particular trip anyhow??
It seems to me that almost all academic institutions are on the "ban the weapons, do not cause waves and do as I say because I am smarter than you are" mentality.
Also part of being an adult in our society is following the rules as written weather they make sense or not. Then working to change those that are just plain wrong in a peaceful and honest way.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Hunter,

Not only can you not "carry" at your school or on school grounds but you can not carry ANYWHERE in this socialist state. As far as the rules go, your form of transportation makes a difference here as well. If you are going to be transported via bus provided by the school then you will be considered "on school property". Once you reach a state you are allowed by your carry permit to carry in you will still be under the school's rules as far as transport.

While this would be perfectly legal in the strictest terms of the law, your school would still have every legal right to boot you. Granted it would be wrong of them to do so since you are simply practicing your constitutional 2a right but that means nothing to the wigs around here.

I would do as Rail suggested and get a stout cane. It's better than nothing and, if used properly, a very good form of defense.

 

[Hunter125]

Let me be clear, taking a gun would be perfectly legal for me to do, no felonies involved. What I am not clear about is whether or not a school trip would count the same as if I were on campus. Perhaps I need to clarify that with someone at the school who would know for sure. Right now I am leaning toward not taking it, just to stay on the safe side. I would like to finish my degree and not waste the money I've invested so far.
But by all means, keep the opinions coming. And thanks guys, I appreciate the input.

 

[Hunter125]

Freedom Fighter, I didn't realize that, thanks for the info. So perhaps next time I should find an excuse to drive myself? I think a cane would look a little odd and draw a little more attention than a small black zippered case in a duffel bag. Especially since I am early 20's and in good health.

 

[Kendal Black]

My thought is that what I was planning to do was completely legal in every state we would be in, any kind of trouble that might come of it would only be from the school. I say so be it, at least I'll be prepared, but now I'm questioning it.

I think you have gotten the best lesson possible out of your education. There is a fascist, nasty undercurrent. Fit in and be like us--or else.

Bad grad student. No dog biscuit.

UC? --Wait. Don't answer that. Really! Don't.

There is an old Chinese saying; I know it is authentic because I heard an old Chinese say it. If you don't like the smell of your friends, it is time to take a walk.

I voted for the open option. Quit school and get a job, or perhaps a new school.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Doesn't matter if it draws attention or not. If you are worried about your safety (I have no clue where you are going) then drawing a little attention to yourself from your classmates should be the least of your concerns. Being able to defend yourself should be at the top of that list. As Rail said, a good stout cane can be a serious motivational tool to get a would be robber to about face. Having been heavily trained in Eskrima (Also known as Kali) I know full well what a small piece of lumber can be capable of.

 

[Mr.Blue]

Why even consider it? Your education is not worth screwing with. Where is the class trip, Afghanistan? Don't be a fool.

Academia is as liberal as it gets. Try getting into another school after explaining that you were expelled for carrying a gun.

 

[Kendal Black]

Perhaps I need to clarify that with someone at the school who would know for sure.

Worst possible course you could steer. Loose lips sink ships, and people are remarkably careless about confidences, these days.

At this point I incline to the view that you should leave it at home or not go. If I am told to go someplace where I think I need a gun, I at least want combat pay.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

You will visit states in which you are licensed to carry.

Sounds like you're good to go. No worries.*

Then there's this: You are an adult. I see no good reason to believe that, as an adult, you are bound by rules of a school in another state when you are not on that very campus in that very state.

But then there's this: Is there a legal expectation that your participation in this trip obliges you to abide by the rules of the institution, under whose patronage you take this trip?

That sounds kooky, but I wouldn't be surprised by such kookiness, especially if you're traveling in school-provided transportation, or staying in school-provided lodgings.

But if the travel arrangements and lodging are yours, then the * answer above is correct.

No doubt it will take a lawyer to enlighten me.

So, would I take a gun? Probably.

 

[hso]

School trip, school rules. It is just that simple.

In addition, you don't have full control of your room unless you're paying for a single.

Also, leaving it in your room does you very little good compared to bringing a simple wooden wedge with you and some common sense. The place you need it most is the area between doors, not behind them. That transition between vehicle and building is the greatest risk. Unless you're intentionally staying in a cheap motel, you can follow some basic traveler's safety rules and prevent having to need the gun.

Measure the risk of being discovered and thrown out of school against the actual risk of someone harming you in your room.

 

[Ash_J_Williams]

I would do a ton of research and be 100% sure could I stay legal. If I could not I would re-think the trip altogether. A grand-tour of disarmed victim zones is not high on my list of travel destinations.

We'd never go to DC if this were a common thought.

 

[ScottG1911]

Wow I'm highly surprised that the majority say leave the gun at home. Obviously you guys have NO IDEA of the reality of this world. You guys have obviously never seen true evil, because a man who has will never allow himself to be unarmed. It just blows my mind how naive people are.

 

[Kendal Black]

We'd never go to DC if this were a common thought.

Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded.

 

[orionengnr]

^^
Having been a resident of Crook County , I can relate. Being able to legally exercise your 2A rights, regardless of the inane rules of your establishment of "higher learning"....well, that is a decision only you can make.

But I seem to recall something from my education many years ago, in another age...something about civil disobedience...

I know what I would do. Whether that is the right thing or not....only you can decide.

I wish you a fair trip, good luck...and I hope you report back with a favorable outcome.

Subscribing.

 

[ShawnC]

I would take it. But I am in a situation where I am allowed to carry anywhere I want. Not everyone is so lucky.
If the school said I couldn't carry, I'd stick it in the back of my backpack and just not show anyone. I don't go waving it around anyway. Again, my situation is different than yours.