4.19 - Prohibited Weapons Policy

Purpose

To comply with Kansas state law.

Scope

This policy applies to all College students, employees, and visitors at any KCKCC building or location. This policy extends to all off-campus College-sponsored or supervised activities (“off-campus activities”).

Definitions

For the purpose of this Policy, see definitions in K.S.A. 21-6301 and K.S.A. 75-7c01.

Policy Statement

Open Carry/ Use of Weapons

Open Carry/Use of Weapons is generally prohibited. Except as provided below, it is the policy of Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) to prohibit the open carry of firearms or use of firearms, explosives, or other weapons in any College building or facility. Open carry of firearms is only allowed by certified law enforcement officers.

Concealed carry of handguns and personal TASER devices are allowed as specified below and may only be used in defense of self or others pursuant to State Statute. Each entrance to each building and facility shall be conspicuously posted with appropriate signs indicating that openly carrying a firearm into that building or at any facility is prohibited.

Individuals are permitted to carry a pocketknife so long as they do not display the knife in a threatening manner. The blade shall not be any longer than 4 inches.

Other weapons such as shotguns, num-chuks, throwing stars, hunting knives with blades longer than 4 inches, swords, flamethrowers, etc. are not permitted on College property unless stored in a personal vehicle.

Persons with knowledge or information of conduct which may constitute a violation of this policy should contact the KCKCC Police.

General Exception

Nothing in this policy shall be read to prohibit possession of weapons on campus: (1) by certified law enforcement officers (2) as necessary for the conduct of KCKCC-approved academic programs or approved activities or practices if approved by the College Chief of Police or their designee in writing in advance of the possession or use.

Concealed Carry Permitted

Beginning July 1, 2017, in accordance with the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act, K.S.A. 75- 7c01 et seq., as amended and other applicable federal and state statutes, the following is permissible and will not be a violation of this Policy:

1. The carrying of a concealed handgun at any College location by legally qualified individuals as set forth in Section (f), pursuant to Kansas law, and also in accordance with the restrictions set forth in this policy;
2. The lawful carrying of a concealed handgun by an employee or student performing College duties or participating in a College related activity at an off-campus location, when in accordance with the applicable laws and policies for such location;
3. The lawful possession of a handgun within a personal/non-College vehicle on College property as set forth herein.
4. The carrying of a concealed handgun in a College vehicle; however, the handgun cannot be stored in the College vehicle unattended.

Concealed Carry Restrictions

Each individual who lawfully possesses a handgun on any College property shall be wholly and solely responsible for carrying, securing, storing, and using the handgun in a safe manner and in accordance with the law and this policy. Individuals who carry a handgun on any College property must carry it concealed on or about their person at all times. It shall be a violation of this policy to openly display any lawfully possessed handgun while on any KCKCC campus, except for those instances where necessary for self-defense, transferring to safe storage, and except as otherwise provided by College Policy. Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to require individuals who lawfully possess a handgun to use it in defense of others. No person shall use the fact or possibility that they are carrying a concealed weapon with the intent to intimidate another person except in response to an immediate threat and in defense of self or others.

Kansas Law Restrictions

Kansas law states that the only type of firearm that an individual can carry while concealed is a handgun, as defined. The following restrictions are applicable to all firearms specifically and apply to the concealed carrying of a handgun under Kansas law and this Policy, and the violation of any of the following restrictions is a crime under Kansas law and a violation of this policy (per K.S.A. 21-6301 and 75-7c01):

1. An individual in possession of a concealed firearm must be at least 21 years of age or 18-21 years of age and in possession of a valid provisional license or valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued pursuant to K.S.A. 75-7c03. K.S.A. 21-6302(a)(4).

2. A firearm cannot be carried:

• By an individual under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, to such a degree as to render the individual unable to safely operate the firearm.
• By an individual who is both addicted to and an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
• By an individual who is or has been a mentally ill person subject to involuntary commitment.
• By an individual with an alcohol or substance abuse problem subject to involuntary commitment.
• A convicted felon.
• A person convicted of domestic violence.

3. A fully automatic firearm cannot be carried.

4. A cartridge which can be fired by a handgun, and which has a plastic-coated bullet with a core of less than 60% lead by weight is illegal.

5. Suppressors and silencers cannot be used with a firearm.

6. Firearms cannot be fired in the corporate limits of a city or at a dwelling, or at a structure or vehicle in which people are present, except in self-defense

Location Restrictions

Under Kansas law, certain campus buildings and/or public areas within campus buildings can be permanently or temporarily designated to prohibit concealed handguns.

On campus housing Centennial Hall – No firearms of any type are allowed in Centennial Hall except by certified law enforcement officers. There are no other College campus buildings or public areas that have been permanently designated to prohibit concealed handguns. However, the College may temporarily designate a specific locations prohibiting concealed handguns and use temporary Adequate Security Measures as defined and required by law. Appropriate notice will be given whenever this temporary designation is made.

Campus locations leased by the College or used for off-campus activity and owned by an entity that may lawfully exclude or permit firearms at their premises (concealed or otherwise), may choose at their sole discretion to exclude or permit concealed handguns from their premises, notwithstanding the lease or use arrangement with the College. If handguns are excluded at such locations and would otherwise be permitted by this policy, individuals are expected to comply with the rules imposed by the location.

Safety Requirements
To reduce the risk of accidental discharge on any College property, when carrying a concealed handgun on any College property (whether on the person or in an appropriate carrier), the concealed handgun is to be secured in a holster that completely covers the trigger and the entire trigger guard area. The holster is to have sufficient tension or grip on the handgun to retain it in the holster even when subjected to unexpected jostling. The handgun in a holster can be on the person or in a personal bag that remains with the person at all times.

Storage

Handgun storage is not provided by the College. Individuals may store a handgun in the individual’s vehicle when the vehicle is locked and the handgun is secured in a location within the vehicle that is not visible from outside the vehicle. Handgun storage by any other means on any College property is prohibited. Specifically, it is prohibited for any individual to store a handgun: (1) in any vehicle that is unlocked or when the handgun is visible from outside the vehicle; (2) in an individual’s office; (3) in an unattended backpack/carrier; (4) in any type of locker except for secure weapons storage facilities in control of the College police; or (5) in any other location and under any circumstances except as 4 specifically permitted by both this policy and state and federal law. Any weapons of any sort found unattended or not appropriately secured should be immediately reported to College Police.

Training

Even the lawful carrying of a concealed handgun has its own risks. Training on the proper handling of a concealed handgun is encouraged. The College may periodically offer on-campus presentations to students and employees related to safe handgun practices.

Responsible Exercise of Rights

Carrying a concealed handgun is not appropriate under all circumstances. KCKCC strongly encourages all members of the College KCKCC community to give serious consideration to whether, in any given situation, the exercise of their concealed carry rights is appropriate under the circumstances.

Investigation

Any report of weapons on College location will be addressed by College Police and/or by federal law enforcement agencies in coordination with College Police.

Enforcement

Any individual violating this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension, expulsion, termination of employment, immediate removal from the premises and arrest. Enforcement of this policy will be administered by the College Police.

Notice

Notice of and reference to this policy shall be given in the implementing weapons procedures of the College, the KCKCC handbook and codes of conduct, as well as in housing contracts. To the extent adequate security measures are used to prohibit concealed carry into stadiums, arenas and other large venues that require tickets for admission, the tickets shall state that concealed carry will be prohibited at that event.