Liberty University Ends Gun Ban on Campus
Liberty University's (LU) strict code of conduct and Christ-centered worldview has given it a reputation as one of the nation's most conservative schools.
A recent decision to end LU's gun ban will strengthen that public perception.
On November 18, the university's Board of Trustees voted to end the school's ban on firearms. Now, students, faculty, and staff with a concealed carry permit will be allowed to carry their weapons on campus grounds.
While the change in policy does not permit students to bring weapons into university buildings, some faculty and staff will have that authority.
The announcement is a complete reversal from LU's former policy. Previously, carrying a weapon on campus grounds was considered a maximum offense. Violators of the policy could have been fined up to $500 and expelled from the university.
University administrators defended the decision, claiming that it would make campus safer and prevent situations like that which occurred at nearby Virginia Tech in 2007.
"If something, God forbid, ever happened like what took place at Virginia Tech, there would be more than just our police officers now who could deal with it," said Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.
Nathan Skaggs, an LU freshman, also weighed in:
For girls or gentlemen who feel uncomfortable around campus at dark times, they have a sense of security knowing that if they need to protect themselves they have that available.
Does your college or university prevent your own self-defense by banning firearms?
Fight back by starting your own Students for Concealed Carry on Campus chapter or other gun rights group. Contact us at activism@campusreform.org to start your own pro-2nd Amedment effort today!
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"While the change in policy does not permit students to bring weapons into university buildings, some faculty and staff will have that authority."
LU surely deserves to be applauded for this first step, but it's only a first step. Students have to enter school buildings to take classes, so the policy change doesn't mean much for students. That means responsible, law-abiding students over 21 years of age with concealed carry permits (with all the training and fingerprinting/documentation that entails) are still going to be forced to disarm or risk being penalized by the university to retain their self-protection.
Is LU going to provide gun locker space at the entrance to each school building?
Nov 28, 12:50 pm
I agree with Tony that this is a step in the right direction. But I'm curious about a few things regarding LU's decision too.
Like:
-Why is there a distinction between the campus grounds and the campus' buildings?
-Will the exclusion of buildings would include a student's residence on campus?
-Is the punishment for carrying in a building still going to be $500 and expulsion, or was that punishment adjusted alongside this policy change?
If permit-holders remain restricted from carrying inside, which is where they spend the greatest amount of time when on campus, then this does little to resolve the issue of personal protection while at LU...
Nov 28, 3:50 pm