1.28 Weapons Policy

I. Introduction

Saint Louis University prohibits firearms and other weapons, as defined in Section 4.0 of this policy, on its premises in accordance with and to the maximum extent permitted by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe working and educational environment for all Students, faculty, staff and visitors.  

III. Personnel Affected

Except as specified in Section 6.0, this policy applies University wide, to all Students, faculty, staff, volunteers, visitors, independent contractors and vendors and their employees, and supplements but does not replace or substitute any other applicable University Policy or procedure. Subject to review and approval by the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety, University departments (e.g., Residence Life, may adopt additional restrictions that would apply within their department).

IV. Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the term "weapon" is defined as any dangerous instrument, device or substance, intended to cause death, designed, or has been adapted or converted for the purpose of causing death, inflicting physical injury, or causing property damage, including, without limitation:

• firearms, including devices designed or converted to expel a projectile by the action of explosion, pressurized gas or mechanical action (such as pellet and BB guns);
• bows, crossbows, slingshots or any other projectile weapon that is not a firearm; knives with blades greater than four (4) inches in length, except culinary knives;
• knives with blades that fold or close into the handle, and open automatically by pressure applied to a mechanism located in the handle, or that open from the handle by the force of gravity or application of centrifugal force ("switchblade" knife);
• any instrument or device designed, adapted or converted for the purpose of stunning or inflicting physical injury by striking a person (such as a club, "sap", or "blackjack");
• any device designed, adapted or converted for the purpose of stunning or inflicting physical injury by delivering an electrical charge (such as a Taser or stun-gun);
• any explosive or incendiary substance, or device designed, adapted or converted for the purpose of causing an explosion or fire;
• any noxious gas or chemical substance, except for those used in University approved laboratories, and any device designed, adapted or converted for the purpose of releasing a noxious gas or chemical substance, except for small hand-sized (units of not more than 3 oz. nor more than 18% OC) personal protection devices sold commercially in the state of Missouri, that eject a repellant or temporary incapacitating substance for the purpose of causing a temporary adverse physical effect on a human being.

For the purposes of this policy, a Prop/Theatrical Weapon is defined as any device that could be reasonably mistaken for a weapon, such as a toy gun, starter gun, or theatrical weapons.

V. Policy

All Saint Louis University Students, faculty, staff, volunteers, visitors, and independent contractors, vendors and their employees are strictly prohibited from carrying weapons on premises owned or controlled by the University and in vehicles owned or controlled by the University, regardless of whether they possess a valid Concealed Carry Weapons permit to carry a firearm. University Students, faculty, staff, and volunteers are prohibited from storing Weapons on premises owned or controlled by the University, including inside of their personal vehicles regardless of whether they possess a valid Concealed Carry Weapons permit to carry a firearm. Visitors to the University, independent contractors, vendors and their employees are also prohibited from storing weapons inside of their company owned or personal vehicles regardless of whether they possess a valid Concealed Carry Weapons permit to carry a firearm.

All Saint Louis University Students, faculty, staff, volunteers, visitors, and independent contractors, vendors and their employees are prohibited from possessing, carrying, or using a Prop/Theatrical Weapon without prior written approval from the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety; provided however, under no circumstances will a Prop/Theatrical Weapon be permitted inside University owned or operated residential facilities.

VI. Exceptions

The following are the only exceptions to this policy:

1. Members of the Department of Public Safety who are required to carry a weapon in accordance with departmental policy.
2. Security officers authorized by their employer, and duly licensed and legally permitted to possess weapons such as employees of armored car services that collect and transport cash, checks and other valuables.
3. Federal, state and local law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties.
4. Members of the armed services performing official duties as defined by law, regulation, or lawful order.
5. Prior written approval must be obtained from the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety when a weapon (real or replica) will be used in a University course or activity, a program or activity conducted on University premises by an outside organization, used in connection with an athletic activity or drill, public ceremony or artistic performance.

VII. Procedures

If you have reason to believe an individual is in possession of a weapon in violation of this policy, you should immediately contact the Department of Public Safety by calling (314) 977-3000, or local law enforcement authorities by dialing 911, and provide a description of the individual and their location. Do not approach the individual or investigate. If you have any uncertainty in deciding whether to make a report, you should decide in favor of making a good faith report. Questions and inquiries about this policy should be directed to:

The Department of Public Safety (DPS)

VIII. Policy Violations

Anyone possessing a weapon in violation of this policy will be asked to immediately remove the weapon from University premises, or surrender the weapon to Department of Public Safety officers or local law enforcement authorities. Failure to comply may result in arrest and/or criminal prosecution. University faculty, staff, and volunteers found in violation of this policy, shall be subject to applicable University disciplinary policies, and any violation of this policy may result in sanctions up to and including their termination. Any students found in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary actions under the Community Standards in the Student Handbook, which do not imitate or serve as a substitute for civil or criminal proceedings, but rather have been created to maintain and preserve the educational nature of the University and ensure an inclusive community.

IX. Other Related Policies and Approval

Community Standards
Housing and Residence Life Handbook

This policy was approved and is effective September 7, 2016.