National Center for Campus Public Safety Releases Report on Campus Carry

  • 08/22/17

BURLINGTON, VT – The National Center for Campus Public SafetyNational Center for Campus Public Safety (NCCPS) has issued a report, Policy Development and Implementation of Legislation Permitting the Carrying of Concealed Handguns on College and University Campuses: Promising Practices, on the findings from a two-day critical issues forum of 27 college and university police and public safety executives and federal officials. The attendees worked to identify critical items to consider during the development and implementation of policies and procedures reflecting current legislation regarding concealed campus carry, commonly referred to as campus carry. The participants have a range of experience in developing and implementing campus carry policies in different states, and are affiliated with a variety of colleges and universities that reflect the unique characteristics of institutions across the U.S.

NCCPS Director Kim Richmond emphasizes, “the purpose of the forum and this report is not to determine whether campus carry is right or wrong, but to provide campus decision makers with helpful guidance and promising practices on how to develop and implement concealed carry policies that both meet the unique needs of each institution and comply with state laws.”

Laws vary significantly between states, as do the attributes each campus must consider when developing and implementing a policy. Community colleges have different challenges than traditional four-year colleges or universities, similar to the distinctions between urban and rural colleges. There is no one-size-fits-all solution or policy for campus carry.

Participants identified eight critical factors in the development of a campus concealed carry policy: the policy itself and the state legislation behind it; legal counsel consultation; education of the campus community about the new policy; implementation, including direct and indirect costs; training to support effective implementation; research and evaluation to determine if the policy is working; communication with stakeholders and the campus community; and culture/climate of the institution.

Campus carry is a topic that elicits diverse, and sometimes divisive, reactions from campus community members. This report represents a neutral path to help campuses move forward with policy development and implementation in an objective, thoughtful manner.

About the NCCPS
The NCCPS, located in Burlington, VT, has a mission to provide useful resources and information to support safer campus communities. In 2013, the NCCPS was established with bipartisan Congressional support following a competitive grant process and award from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. A cooperative agreement and subsequent funding for establishing the NCCPS were awarded to Margolis Healy, a national consulting firm specializing in campus safety, security and regulatory compliance for higher education and K–12 schools.

Featured

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • Kimball Showroom Earns WELL Certified Platinum Distinction

    Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently announced that its showroom in New York City has achieved WELL Certification at the Platinum level as dictated by the International WELL Building Institute, according to a news release. The certification demonstrates a continuing commitment to creating environments that promote health, well-being, and productivity.

  • Recent University of Pennsylvania Projects Receive LEED Certifications

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently announced that three of its recent construction projects have earned LEED certifications, according to university news. The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) received a LEED Platinum certification, Amy Gutmann Hall a LEED Gold, and the OTT Center for Track and Field a LEED silver.