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Subscribe to RSSColorado University will no longer allow concealed weapons in undergrad dormitories, but will continue to allow them elsewhere on campus. KUSA's Meagan Fitzgerald reports.
Updated at 4:57 p.m. ET: The University of Colorado will segregate students who have concealed-weapons permits in special dorms, but their firearms will have to be locked up before bedtime, according to campus police.
University officials have amended their student housing contract at its Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses to accommodate students who are 21 years or older and have concealed-weapons carry permits, said Ryan Huff, public information officer with the University of Colorado's campus police in Boulder.
"If you have a permit, you can carry a concealed weapon on campus, as long as its hidden away from view, and you can even have it with you in class," Huff told NBC News. "What you can not do is have it on you at a ticketed event, such as football games, or in any of the residence halls on campus."
The university’s policy change comes after the Colorado Supreme Court upheld an appeals-court decision in March that struck down the university’s ban on guns.
“I believe we have taken reasonable steps to adhere to the ruling of the Colorado Supreme Court, while balancing that with the priority of providing a safe environment for our students, faculty and staff,” CU-Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano said in a statement on the university’s website.
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University officials say both campuses will establish a residential area for students with permits but will ban guns in all other dormitories, according to the new policy.
Huff said those who live in residence halls will have to lock up their firearms with police, but can check out their weapon before and after they go to their residence hall. For those living in family housing units, he said, safes will be established and supervised by the housing monitor.
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"Ultimately, CU-Boulder and Students for Concealed Carry have the same goal in mind, the safety of campus patrons," David Burnett, director of public relations for Students for Concealed Carry, said in an email to NBC News. "We feel that CU's previous policy of expecting criminals to comply with 'no-gun' stickers on the doors was absurdly ineffective, and are happy they have made the change to allow campus carry."
The new policy, however, isn’t sitting well with James Manley, a lawyer for the Mountain States Legal Foundation, a nonprofit group in Lakewood, Colo., that advocates liberty and freedom.
"We still need to see the actual language of the policy before we make a decision on how to proceed," Manley told The Daily Camera in Boulder.
University officials say less than 1 percent of its staff, faculty and students have concealed-carry permits, according to the Boulder newspaper.
Under Colorado law, to get a concealed-carry permit, a person must be 21 or older, get a federal background check and demonstrate competence with a firearm, including through a class, or military or police service.
On July 20, a mass shooting occurred at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in the suburb of Aurora. James Holmes, a 24-year-old former doctoral student at the University of Colorado, is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 58 others in the spree.
Huff said there is no connection between the university's new policy and the Aurora shootings.
"The university wanted to make sure its new policy was in place before students returned for the school year," he said.
According to the university website, students will start returning to residence halls on Tuesday; classes begin for the semester on Aug. 27.
Do you have an education-related story or idea, contact NBC News' Sevil Omer at sevil.omer@msnbc.com
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Leave a Comment:
There is no way I would use any weapon I have to stop anyone from shooting up a place as long as I'm treated like a criminal. I'm protecting me and mine, that's all. If you choose to be defenseless that's your deal, live with it. If I'm in a situation that a cc could be a deterrent the assailant had better be pointing at me or I'm just standing by. When it's all said and done and the stupid comments come flying that what good does a cc carrier make, I'll splain to any media that wants to know. I'll be alive to do so.
Karma says those in the seats near me will be the same people who come up with this stupid crap. Seems to me the powers that be in Colorado need some restrictions, they're creating a society that wants to gun people down.
You have a distorted comprehension of Karma. That is not the principle of Karma in the least. An accurate description Karma would be, "Go around with a gun strapped to your hip 24/7 looking for someone to shoot around every corner, and you are more likely to get shot."
Doc, Doc, Doc. If you were right and every gun owner was looking for someone to shoot, we wouldn't have an over-population problem, and the unemployment rate would be way down. Good hyperbole, though.
BTW you should study what Karma actually is - beyond the dictionary.
so mpa.. with columbine, or VA Tech or any other incidents, they weren't really looking for someone to shoot ?? they just happened to find people standing around and figured that'd be a good place to start ?
well thanks for letting me in on the secret.. i had no clue before you enlightened me
If you aren't looking for someone to shoot, or waiting for the opportunity to be given "justification for shooting another person" why are you so insistent on having a gun on your person 24/7?
I don't carry concealed (except occasionally in the National Parks (snakes mostly [and concealed because I son't want to scare the other tourists]). Don't carry 24/7, but I see the need for people to defend themselves if needed. More poor assumtion on your part.
Then perhaps you aren't one of the ones that won't even go to the grocery store without a loaded weapon. Glad to hear it. One less person to worry about.
There are, however, far too many out there that fit that category. Those that think having a loaded weapon in a college classroom fit that profile.
I tried to comment here but I keep considering an insane situation with a sane mind and keep cumming up empty. I am a retired vet, avid supporter of the 2nd Amendment, hunter, ccw and have several weapons, and I still have no idea what to say about this. That is a problem. What the h--- are people thinking anymore? I guess most of the aren't.
Notice what the policy is in that you must give your gun to a monitor and it is locked in a safe. You are now back to the same problem that you cannot defend yourself because the monitor will probably be the first victim for anybody planning a attack. Folks back in the 1800's and early 1900's before progressives raised their head, the average gentleman walking down the street had a gun which was a darenger or pepperbox and the cain that he had with him was a sword wrapped in that cain. There is nothing special about guns they are chemically powered package delivery systems and can be made in the average machine shop in peoples homes or a commercial shop. Look at what would happen in that theater in Aurora if that nut could not get a gun but instead put together a flame thrower which can be easily made.
Yes, because every day in this country, people storm into college dorms and open fire, don't they?
As a male, a father of two grown sons, and now in my late fifties I know one thing for certain. Eighteen to 20 year old males are not the most sensible segment of our population. They are still in the "we know best" phase of human life cycle and having them roam around a college campus with concealed weapons is not the smartest thing one could do.
21 is the minimum legal age for a Colorado CCW. Feel better now?
21 doesn't make it better. Kids carrying guns! Unbelievable! What the H is wrong with our society?
Given the fact that the frontal lobe does not fully develop until age 25 or later, thus making individuals under this age more prone to impulsive and erratic behavior, the answer to that would be "No", bassai.
It's OK to send 18-20 year olds with guns to Iraq and Afghanistan to do the dying, though, because their frontal lobes aren't fully developed, right?
As it was in Vietnam, Korea, WW2, WW1, . . . .
Thanks, all you underdeveloped, irresponsible, not-to-be-trusted-with-scissors-or-anything-that-goes-"pop" cretins for fighting and dying to secure the liberties and freedoms that some of us so easily dismiss . . .
What a brew: testosterone, immaturity, booze, broads and guns! Oh boy, is this great! Too bad the Founding Fathers are not around to enjoy.
What the hell is going on? Why is it necessary to even be talking about concealed gun permits and college campuses in the same sentence. WTF is going on?????? Is this suppose to make students feel safer? How can this possibly be a good idea??? This is some crazy ish!
Yes, that is what I meant too: #22 I know now wha through me off at first "Students with guns" I think that is the first time I have EVER seen students and guns mentioned together in the same senceance like that so causallly-insane.
BobW----I know what you mean...this is truly insane!!! I saw the article and had to read it three times because I was certain I had missed the main point of it. No need to wonder about how these mass murders and assaults are coming about....it is a learned behavior !!!!
Being in college is not the military, you don't check your Constitutional rights at the door. They aren't arguing to bring guns into campus activities, merely to be able to safely store them in their homes (in this case dorms) as allowed by the license they obtained.
Apples - I am sorry but that just does not make sense to me. Please help me understand why it is necessary.
I'm confused. Are you arguing that Constitutional laws don't need to be adhered to on college campuses? So, if you're arrested on a college campus for a speech protest, you're advocating that campus police should be able to torture you, provide no access to an attorney, and convict without a trial of your peers? Or is it just that you want to pick and choose which Rights are the "good ones" and which are the ones they can just suspend on a whim?
Once again, being an adult college student does not negate the basic human rights outlined within the Constitution. I don't know how to make it any clearer.
Linda,
If someone has met the requirements for a CCW what is it that will suddenly make them stupid once they step on campus. Is it something in the air that only hangs over a university campus?
Apples
I am a retired soldier. I protected the US Constitution for almost 30 years, support the 2nd ammendment. That is not what Linda and I are so befuddled about. Students-guns. To our sensibilities they do NOT fit together. School (even college) to me and I think Linda-care fee, learning, dances, classes, sports, friends, finals, graduation, that is normal. Whether or not to carry a gun, have a ccw, lock up said gun....just nuts. Insane! If you can not see that...so sad.
Apples --- Thanks for the attempt in making me understand. I am not arguing the constitutional right to bear arms or any other constitutional right.....I just don't accept that it is necessary on a college campus.
Linda,
Their current policy. So how is the change going to make things worse?
BobW-3215303 -- First off, let me say "Thank You for your service to our country." I am not going to continue this discussion because this is the most insane thing that I have read in a very long time. This whole idea, I believe, is leading us down a path of total destruction. I am an ex-police officer and I have a son living on campus at this time and this whole idea just blows my mind !!!!
Locking them away in the residence hall is safely storing them, apples.
Linda & Bob -
I agree that most "youngsters" need supervision and guidance at college-age.
But consider this, please: Would you have a problem with a 22 year-old forrester carrying? How about a 22 year-old cop, taxi driver, or bartender?
I think you may both have a romanticized vision of college life - do some research on campus crime - and keep in mind that it is way under-reported.
Not an easy topic, but look at more than one element.
You haven't spent much time in a college classroom or on a college campus, have you, mpa?
Spent my highschool years with 2 phd's. Studied philosophy and psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill. Finished engineeing degree with plenty of statistics at 33, then took business admin courses at night between 40 - 43 to help me in my career. So, plenty of time in the college classroom.
I just didn't buy all of the "progressive" slant.
Ahhh....then with that background I will no longer accuse you of ignorance regarding statistics. I will accuse you of intellectual dishonesty.
Hey, why not have them wear a distinctive badge on their clothes as well. Maybe a yellow sta... no, that one is taken. How about a pink triang... No, that one is taken too. I don't know, but I am sure that they can come up with some way for normal people to know who these deviants are on campus. I mean, wouldn't that be fair? Maybe even give them separate bathrooms and dining facilities. You know, to keep them from infecting any other students with their, um... disorder. Segregating people because of things like this has always worked so well in the past.
Where exactly is the moral outrage over this? If the school had said that Muslim students had to sleep in a separate dorm, you would have people out picketing within an hour. But because some of the students choose to exercise rights that are protected by the Constitution, they are treated like outcasts. Do they not pay the same tuition? Are they seen as a second-class student because of their beliefs? So where does the administration get off treating them like they are some sort of social leper for doing something that is both legal and protected?
Well said.
Actually, Chris, that is an excellent idea. Then those of us that have just as much right not to be put in danger by a student carrying a loaded weapon would be easily able to protect ourselves.
Actually, Chris, that is an excellent idea. Then those of us that have just as much right not to be in danger by a student carrying a loaded weapon would know to run and scream.
Actually, Chris, I have raised the same question several times. If they were to identify and segregate the ACLU members, there would be more bloody tears of outrage on hear than you could imagine.
Hypocrisy is funny isn't it?
Oh, you silly boy! Still using that fallacious argument, lol.
Actually, Chris, that is an excellent idea. Then those of us that have just as much right not to be in danger by a student carrying a loaded penis would know to run and scream.
School and guns is almost an oxymoron. Why do students feel the need to arm themselves in class? oh, bcz crime exists and you want to be able to defend yrself against an attack?
thats smart, bcz if someone pisses u off in class, u can just shoot them? its easy.
Stupid is...stupid does.
im waiting for the right to bear arms crowd...lol
The article makes no reference to firearms within the classroom. Why should adult CCL carriers be able to safely maintain a firearm in their home; that is the question that is being asked in this article. The answer is because that is a fundamental basic human right and only fascists decide which rights are "good".
Way to strawman though!
"If you have a permit, you can carry a concealed weapon on campus, as long as its hidden away from view, and you can even have it with you in class," Huff told NBC News.
obviously, you cant read either.
Apples, exercise a litle maturity and responsibilty. It goes with exercising your rights.
If you don't want to follow the rules of campus housing, live off campus.
Sebutt -
Do the research on campus crime, keeping in mind that it is grossly under-reported (as indicated by liberal lawsuits).
Google is your friend.
How about if you enlighten us, since you imply that you know so much about crime on college campuses.
Don't be lazy, Doc. Do your own research.
I've already done it. Read on, mpa, read on.
"...their firearms will have to be locked up before bedtime, campus police say."
BUT THAT"S WHEN THE BOOGIE MAN IS APT TO STRIKE! Well at least they can have their machetes by their bedside right?
LOL...the world must look at the US and laugh...college students with permits to carry concealed firearms in their dorms!!! The founding fathers are most certainly cringing at how the 2nd amendment has been twisted to satisfy the urges of the American gun fetish!
Fixed it for you.
And you missed something.
Adults, my eye! A 21 year old student cannot even qualify for student aid or loans. They have to qualify under their parents' income until the age of 24. Not responsible enough to sign off on their own student loan, but responsible enough to sit in class with a loaded weapon? Right.
And I think you have to be 25 to rent a car; but go ahead and carry a gun on campus because at 21 you are mature.
Show me some proof that what you say has anything to do with a lack of responsibility.
At what age can you legally enlist in the armed forces without your parents consent? Vote? Enter into a legally binding contract?
Doc -
False. I qualified for student loans at that age. 21 is the legal age for assuming contractual obligations in most of these States (won't suggest I know them all).
I think you might be right in most states mpa .. but i do know for some schools in Pennsylvania, you have to be 25 to be considered an adult and not have your income grouped with your parents...
so maybe it doesn't apply to everyone everywhere after all at the age of 21 ? maybe we should raise that age limit a lil ?
They are not considered to be finanacially responsible enough to sign off on their own loans.
Mpa, not without using your parents' income and having them sign off on your loans, you didn't. That is the whole point. The age limit for being an independent student and qualifying for financial aid on your own is 24.
Really? I must have missed that section of the FAFSA. And here I thought it was more about making sure that the mom & dad money tree got tapped first.
So tell me how does financial responsibility figure into someone being responsible enough for a CCW? For the City and County of Denver you need $100.00 plus $52.50 for the CBI. The required training can cost $75 to $150 and the ammunition will run you about $50. Is that where the financial responsibility comes into play?
If you can't be responsible enough to pay your aid bill, you are not responsible enough to walk around with a loaded weapon on a college campus.
Phoenyx13...that 24 year old cut off for being considered an independent student is the federal guidelines established through FAFSA. Most private lending institutions use the FAFSA guidelines for student loans, as well.
Bassai -
Doc os talking through his hat again. Had no parents, but did arrange my own loans before I was 24.
And Doc talks FAFSA and makes the determination that those who can't qualify for specific programs are not old enough to be armed. So, those who go through FAFSA have less rights than those who don't (think high school grads who don't go to college) have that ability, they are allowed by the state at 32, but Doc is gonna set the age for the college kids.
And he accuses me of logical fallacy. . .
As an orphan, you fall under different criteria for federal aid. That does not apply to the vast majority of students on college campuses.
I would not feel safe attending a school where students were allowed to carry guns. Especially in the wake of recent school shootings at VA Tech and an attempted shooting at my Alma mater. Colorado just had a shooting in a theater and we all remember Columbine, so wtf are they thinking? 2 needless massacres isn't enough? You can't shoot a gun on campus, so for what possible reason would any student need a gun. This is ridiculous!
i agree.. how many more men, women and children have to DIE ?!
Yes and do you know what all those shootings had in common? All of those locations banned the carrying of arms. Look at how well laws that prevent firearm ownership and carrying prevent CRIMINALS from doing just that!
Again, you keep referencing the VA Tech incident as an example. Do a little research. How many colleges are there in the U.S.? There are 4,140 colleges in the U.S. Using your example means that the chance of an incident like that happening is 1 in 4,140. You are more likely to slip and fall in the shower.
By your logic, the Kent State incident is likely to recur frequently. And in that case, it was the students killed by National Guardsmen. Guess we need to worry more about National Guardsmen than a lone, mentally ill gunman on a college campus. Every student needs to go armed to protect themselves from the National Guard. See how silly your logic is?
Well now that's just the stupidest wording for a poll on GUN CARRIERS RIGHTS I've ever read! I've never really ripped a media source for it's slanted point of political view, but this one takes the cake! You're backing the wrong horse here MSN. Guns will NEVER be made illegal in this country without a fight!
What about my right not to be sitting next to a stressed out student with a loaded weapon?
Well they might not be so stressed if you hadn't assigned them so many papers to write.
Anon -
No one is suggesting you need to go there. Will you stay away from all restaurants and federal parks? WtF are they thinking? Maybe that all of those shootings took place where guns were banned?
Bassai -
I know you went to college!
Airborne dad -
It is egregious, but not all that unusual.
Oh, well, bassai. If they can't do college work, they have no business being in college classes. Students are there to get an education. Don't whine because you have to actually do something to earn that degree.
LOL! That's why my wife will only teach doctoral level classes.
You can't rest on your wife's laurels.
Oh and which question are you polling??? Because either 60% don't think its a good idea or 60% dont think the law goes far enough to accommodate!
Airborne
US Army 1972-1999. I thought we fought so our kids would not have to. I guess the beat goes on. There is still a man with a gun over there. As long as there is I will NEVER put mine down. Salute!
Amen Bob!
I agree, put all these paranoid folks together and take their guns at night. These are the very people that committ mass murders and serial killings. One or more of these fools will get upset about a grade and go on a shooting spree. Mark my words, this will happen.
Fool show me where one had a ccw
Steve -
he can't. It hasn't happened.
you are right mpa, it hasn't happened yet... so what should we do ? we should make it easier on everyone and increase the chances of it happening ! right ?
gee.. sounds like a smart move to me
What ..on earth ..is this going to be a new trend
http://concealedcampus.org/
Decide for yourself.
Explain to me why any college student needs a gun.
What stupidity.
Don't be lazy. Do some research. Google "campus crime (FBi stats). Then google "lawsuits,campus crime under-reported."
Oh, please, mpa. The FBI only tracks Federal crimes. Crimes that occur on a college campus are local, or at the worst, state level charges.
You seriously need to learn to research.
For the U of C Boulder campus, the most recent statistics are from 2010. They are as follows:
zero murders
zero negligent homicides
2 robberies
2 aggravated assaults
27 burgarlies
5 thefts involving motor vehicles
4 arsons
Crime on college campuses occurs at a significantly lower rate than in a non-college area with comparable population numbers.
Doc -
not schooled in statistics or probablities, huh? They'd love you in Vegas.
And then you bring up Kent State? Please.
The FBI only tracks federal crimes? That's delusional1
Very schooled in statistics and probabilities both. Both differential and descriptive statistics.
Not delusional in the least. Fact. You want the statistics on crime in a specific area, you have to use the data base that tracks the statistics for that area.
The college is discriminating against the gun owner who wants to tuck his gun into bed with him. You know the kind who kisses his gun goodnight and reads his weapon a NRA bedtime story!
Ever notice gun nuts are such cowards? They need lots of weapons often high powered assault weapons to make them feel "tough". These pussies couldn't fight themselves out of a paper bag,many fight like a girl. So scared,so very scared so they need a gun at their side to comfort them. The big guns make up for their small penises! Such pathetic wimps!
TONYWARVET?? You just bitch-slapped a hell of a lot of American Heroes, who spent 24 hours a day with their guns. You say they are wimps? You Pathetic idiot!!!
Flip side of that reasoning is anti-gun people have vaginal issues involving sand.
Burnie & Bassai -
It took Tony 2 posts get genital. I think he has a different agenda . . .
It's about time somebody got some brains about protecting our young students. Most 21 year old students have enough common sense to carry weapons safely and it is easy to weed out the unstable students. Our Nation's Fighting Heroes are mostly young men, laying their lives on the line to protect our freedom. It makes sense having them also protect our vulnerable students from the wacko lunatics. Every school should adopt this policy. They should have a few qualified students carry fire arms in a holster on their belt.
You are delusional.
Students don't need to carry guns on campus. It represents a needless distraction from learning and disturbs the 99.9% who don't carry guns. Intances of campus physical violence warranting guns are extremely rare. Your chances of being hit by lightning are higher than the random chance of a student coming face to face with someone pulling a gun. The risk of innocent bystanders being hit is high, and if you shoot the wrong person you will get sued as well.
Research campus crime (Google is yur friend) before you post your opinions. Thanks.
You keep telling people to research campus crime. How about if you offer valid and accurate statistics to support your point. You are attempting to make a point, but have nothing to support it.
Again, Doc, don't be lazy. Your earlier post that the FBI only tracks federal crimes clearly demonstrates your lack of honesty vis-a-vis this topic.
Anyone who is honestly interested in the topic should do their own research, make their own decisions. They shouldn't rely on my research, and certainly not yours.
I've already posted the numbers for one of the schools in question. You, my friend, are engaging in intellectual dishonesty.