Weapons on Campus Policy

Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon, by a student or non-student on campus property, at campus-sponsored functions, or in a firearm-free zone is unlawful and violators shall be subject to criminal charges and campus discipline, as stated in the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors’ “Weapons on Campus Policy”, dated October 29, 1999. The University of Louisiana at Monroe, as a member of the University of Louisiana System, is designated as a “firearm-free zone” pursuant to Louisiana law R.S. 14:96.6.

Definitions pursuant to Louisiana law R.S. 14:95.2 include:

1. School means any elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, or universities in this state.
2. Campus means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school’s property.
3. Non-student means any person not registered an enrolled in that school or a suspended student who does not have permission to be on the school campus.
4. School bus means any motorbus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.
5. Firearm or dangerous weapon pursuant to R.S. 14.2(2) includes gas, liquid or other substance or instrumentality, which, in the manner used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

Pursuant to Louisiana law R.S. 14:95.2(A):

1. Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon by a student or non-student on school property, at a school-sponsored or affiliated function, or in a firearm-free zone is unlawful and shall be defined as possession of any firearm or dangerous weapon, on one’s person, at any time while on a school campus, on school transportation, or at any school-sponsored or affiliated function including but not limited to athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities, or within one thousand feet of any school campus.
2. Whoever commits the crime of carrying a firearm by a student or non-student on school property or in a firearm-free zone shall be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for prosecution. School officials must report the detention of a student or seizure of a firearm to a law enforcement agency within seventy-two hours.
3. Lack of knowledge that the prohibited act occurred on or within one thousand feet of school property shall not be a defense.
4. Provisions of this law do not apply to:
   
   1. A school official or employee acting during the normal course of his employment or a student acting under the direction of such school official or employee.
   2. A student enrolled or participating in an activity requiring the use of a firearm including but not limited to any ROTC function under the authorization of a university.
5. If a person is arrested for carrying a concealed weapon on campus by a university or college police officer, the weapon shall be given to the sheriff, chief of police, or other officer to whom custody of the arrested person is transferred as provided by R.S. 17:1805(B).

Pursuant to Louisiana law R.S. 14:95.4:

1. The local governing authority which has jurisdiction over zoning matters in which each firearm-free zone is located shall publish a map clearly indicating the boundaries of each firearm-free zone.
2. The firearm-free zone map shall be made an official public document and placed with the clerk of court for the parish or parishes in which the firearm-free zone is located.
3. The commissioner of higher education with the approval of the Board of Regents, shall develop a method by which to mark firearm-free zones, including the use of signs or other markings suitable to the situation.
4. Signs or other markings shall be located in a visible manner on or near each school and on and in each school bus indicating that such area is a firearm free zone and that such zone extends to one thousand feet from the boundary of school property.
5. It is unlawful for any person to cover, remove, deface, alter, or destroy any sign or other marking identifying a firearm-free zone and whoever violates the provisions shall be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for prosecution.

Any person who wishes to possess a firearm sanctioned by the state law and University policies while on school property, school transportation, or at any school-sponsored or affiliated function, must first register such weapon with the University Police Department before bringing the firearm on school property, school transportation, or to any school-sponsored or affiliated function.

Possession of a firearm, when in violation of state laws, the University of Louisiana System policy, or the University policy, shall be grounds for suspension, dismissal or expulsion from the University and/or other specified censures.

The ULM “Standards of Conduct for Students” are designed to provide for the health and safety of the student body and to promote a wholesome educational environment for the University community.

To promote this goal the University specifically does not permit the possession of, display of, use of, or attempt or threat to use firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, or other dangerous weapons, substances or materials of any kind on University property or at any University-approved activity.

To preserve a wholesome educational environment and to safeguard the rights and well-being of its citizens, the University reserves the right to initiate searches and seizures, with probable cause relative to person, on campus living quarters, papers, effects, and other personal student properties on the campus.

Student found in violation of the “Weapons On Campus Policy” may be censured by the appropriate authority that may include:

1. Administrative Withdrawal
2. Dismissal from the University
3. Suspension from the University
4. Explusion from the University
5. Bar from readmission to the University