Weapons on College Property

Weapons on College Property

Policy Statement

Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) is concerned about the safety, welfare, and protection of all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and college property. The college is committed to providing a safe and secure environment to everyone. The college abides by local and state weapons laws.

Procedure

North Carolina law generally prohibits carrying a weapon either openly or concealed on community college property or to a curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by a community college. The Durham County Board of Commissioners adopted the following policy on January 10, 1994: The possession or display of any weapon, the concealment of which is prohibited by N.C. General Statute 14-269, on county property or by individuals under the influence of intoxicating drink or illegal drugs and the display of said weapons in certain other places or areas herein defined as “public” are hereby declared to be acts detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens and the peace and dignity of the county, and are hereby prohibited.

The General Assembly has, however, enacted a limited exception to that general prohibition (S.L. 2013-369, sec. 2; HB 937; N.C.G.S. § 14-269.2(k)), allowing the possession of a firearm on college property only under the following limited circumstances:

• The firearm is a handgun;

• The individual has a valid concealed handgun permit or is exempt from the law requiring a permit;

• The handgun remains in either a closed compartment or container within the permit-holder’s locked vehicle or a locked container securely affixed to the permit-holder’s locked vehicle;

• The vehicle is only unlocked when the permit-holder is entering or exiting the vehicle; and

• The firearm remains in the closed compartment at all times.

Thus, the law does not permit the concealed carry permit holder to carry the handgun around campus. While on college property or at a curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by the college, the permit holder must keep the handgun in a closed compartment or container within his/her locked vehicle or within a locked container securely affixed to the vehicle.

Eligibility to Possess Firearms

In accordance with SBCC code, any student desiring to enroll in a program that requires the student to possess a firearm shall provide proof of eligibility to possess firearms prior to enrollment in that program. The student shall provide proof of eligibility to possess a firearm by submitting to Student Information and Records one of the following documents:

• Any current, valid state-issued permit to purchase a firearm;

• A current, valid state-issued concealed carry permit from North Carolina;

• A current valid state-issued concealed carry permit from a state with a reciprocal concealed carry agreement with North Carolina;

• Proof of an exemption from permit requirements pursuant to G.S. 14-415.25;

• A background check as determined by the college, the sole purpose of which shall be to determine whether the student can lawfully possess a firearm in North Carolina pursuant to G.S. 14-269.8, G.S. 14-404(c), G.S. 14-415.1, G.S. 14-415.3, and G.S. 14-415.25.

This policy shall not apply to courses mandated by law under Chapter 17C of the North Carolina General Statutes, North Carolina Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, or Chapter 17E of the North Carolina General Statutes, North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission.

Disciplinary Actions

Employees

As stated in the Disciplinary Actions, Suspension, and Termination of Employment policy.

Students

Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct.

If you have any questions related to weapons on campus, contact the Director/Chief, Campus Police and Public Safety at 919-536-7255, ext. 5504.

Definitions:

Student – Any individuals, regardless of age, who are currently enrolled in Durham Tech courses, who have active program status, and/or who are currently participating in Durham Tech instructional programs, including Middle College High School, Career and College Promise, and College and Career Readiness programs. Individuals with active program status are those who have been accepted into a program, have taken classes within the program, and have been continuously enrolled at the College since beginning the program.

Weapon – For the purposes of this policy, “weapon” includes:

• Guns (including BB and stun guns);

• Rifles (including air rifles);

• Pistols (including air pistols);

• Dynamite cartridges, bombs, grenades, mines, and powerful explosives;

• Knives (including bowie knives, dirks, switchblades, and daggers); and

• Slingshots, leaded canes, blackjacks, metallic knuckles, razors, and razor blades (except solely for personal shaving), fireworks, or any sharp-pointed or edged instruments except instructional supplies, unaltered nail files and clips; and tools used solely for preparation of food, instruction, and maintenance.