Anoka Ramsey Community College

Part 1. Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this policy is to establish restrictions on possession or carry of firearms applicable to Minnesota State, in accordance with the Minnesota Citizens' Personal Protection Act of 2003, Minnesota Statutes section 624.714, and other applicable law. Please refer to Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s Zero Tolerance Policy 5J.3 regarding the College’s commitment to an environment where employees, students and visitors are at zero risk of involvement in workplace violence. Also see Procedure 5J.3.11 for detail outlining the prohibition of other dangerous weapons for reasons other than academic by any person on College property.

Part 2. Definitions

Subpart A. Employee. "Employee" means any individual employed by Minnesota State, its colleges and universities and Minnesota State, including student employees.

Subpart B. Firearm. "Firearm" means a gun, whether loaded or unloaded, that discharges shot or a projectile by means of an explosive, a gas or compressed air.

Subpart C. Pistol. "Pistol" means a weapon as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 624.712, subd. 2.

Subpart D. Student. "Student" means an individual who is:

1. registered to take or is taking one or more courses, classes, or seminars, credit or noncredit, at any Minnesota State institution; or
2. between terms of a continuing course of study at the college, such as summer break between spring and fall academic terms; or
3. expelled or suspended from enrollment as a student at the college, during the pendency of any adjudication of the student disciplinary action.

Subpart E. System property. "System property" means the facilities and land owned, leased, or under the primary control of Minnesota State, its Board of Trustees, colleges, and universities.

Subpart F. Visitor. "Visitor" means any person who is on Minnesota State property, but does not include (1) an employee of Minnesota State acting in the course and scope of his/her employment; or (2) a student, when that student is on Minnesota State property.

Part 3. General

No person is permitted to carry or possess a firearm on Minnesota State property except as provided in this policy.

Subpart A. Employees.

1. Prohibition. Employees are prohibited from possessing or carrying a firearm while acting in the course and scope of their employment, either on or off Minnesota State property, regardless of whether the employee has a permit to carry a firearm, except as otherwise provided in this policy.
2. Licensed peace officers. Subpart 3.A.1. does not apply to employees who are licensed peace officers under Minnesota Statutes section 626.84, subd.1(c), when assigned by the college to public safety duties.
3. Employee reporting responsibility. An employee with a reasonable basis for believing an individual is in possession of or carrying a firearm in violation of this policy has a responsibility to report the suspected act in a timely manner, unless doing so would subject the employee or others to physical harm. Reports should be made to the official designated in the applicable policy of the college. The designated official is the Director of Safety and Security. This policy shall not prohibit prompt notification to appropriate law enforcement authorities when an immediate threat to personal safety exists. Employees shall not make reports of a suspected violation knowing they are false or in reckless disregard of the truth.

Subpart B. Students.

1. Prohibition. Students are prohibited from possessing or carrying a firearm while on Minnesota State property, regardless of whether the student has a permit to carry a firearm, except as otherwise provided in this policy.
2. Licensed peace officers. This policy does not apply to students who are licensed peace officers under Minnesota Statutes section 626.84, subd.1(c).

Subpart C. Visitors.

1. Prohibition. Visitors are prohibited from possessing or carrying a firearm while on Minnesota State property, except as otherwise provided in this policy.
2. Licensed peace officers. This policy does not apply to visitors who are licensed peace officers under Minnesota Statutes section 626.84, subd.1(c).

Part 4. Exceptions

Subpart A. Parking areas. This policy does not prohibit the lawful possession or carry of firearms in a parking area or parking facility.

Subpart B. Authorized uses. This policy does not prohibit:

1. Lawful possession or carry related to an academic use or use at a campus shooting range, such as law enforcement programs, approved in writing by the College President; or
2. Transport of an unloaded firearm directly between a parking area or parking facility and the location authorized for its use, or transport of an unloaded firearm directly between a parking area or parking facility and a storage facility provided by the College.
3. Possession or carry of a pistol by a visitor who has a lawful permit to carry a pistol pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 624.714, subd. 1a.

The College will not provide storage facilities for employees' or students' weapons.

Part 5. Storage in State Vehicles Prohibited

No vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise under the control of Minnesota State shall be used to store or carry a firearm, except as authorized for purposes under part 4.B.1.

Part 6. Violations

Violations of this policy by students or employees are misconduct subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion or termination.

Part 7. Referral to Law Enforcement

Minnesota State may refer suspected violations of law to appropriate law enforcement authorities, and provide access to investigative or other data as permitted by law.

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History: 

10.2009 Updated designated official for reporting

07.2017 Technical changes: "MnSCU" and "System" to "Minnesota State"