9 things to know about WSU’s policy on concealed handguns

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story was unclear about the policy in regard to backpacks, bags and purses.

After years of debate and preparation, a major shift toward firearms on Kansas college campuses has arrived.

Beginning Saturday, universities and colleges in Kansas must allow concealed carry on campus or provide adequate security measures like metal detectors for their facilities.

It will apply to regents universities like Wichita State University, the University of Kansas and Kansas State University and to community and junior colleges.

Those institutions were originally exempt from a state law requiring concealed carry in public facilities. But that exemption expires July 1.

WSU said it wanted to address safety concerns of students, parents, faculty, staff and visitors “while still respecting the right of individuals to carry a handgun as permitted by Kansas state law.”

“Our goal is to work together to ensure that the entire campus community has the tools necessary to understand the law and how to maintain responsibility and personal safety,” according to a news release Monday morning.

Here’s some things to keep in mind about WSU’s weapons policy:

▪ You have to be 21 years old to be lawfully eligible for concealed carry in Kansas.

▪ Concealed carry will be allowed in all university buildings at WSU, including residence halls and on-campus apartments. The exception is beyond the lobby of the University Police Department.

▪ The university can make locations temporarily gun-free with signs and temporary security measures like armed guards and metal detectors. “An example would be at athletics or commencement events where attendance is more than 5,000,” according to WSU.

▪ Eligible people can carry a handgun in a briefcase, backpack, purse or handbag as long as that person keeps it under their “uninterrupted control.” A concealed handgun should be in secure storage if it’s not on that person.

▪ Instructors and professors can’t prohibit a student from lawfully carrying a concealed handgun. But they can require things like backpacks, bags and purses to be stored separately during a test or lab class. “(But then) University policies may require that individuals who want to carry a concealed carry handgun have it holstered on their person, instead of in their bag, before they arrive at the class,” according to WSU’s frequently asked questions webpage on the policy.

▪ Openly carrying a weapon into buildings or facilities is still prohibited on WSU’s campus.

▪ Concealed carry applies only to handguns and not other types of guns or weapons.

▪ A concealed handgun can be brandished or displayed only when someone is using it in lawful self-defense or transferring it to safe storage.

▪ Handguns with an external safety must be carried with the safety on. Semiautomatic handguns should not have a round in the chamber. Revolvers must be carried with the hammer on an empty cylinder.

The university is recommending that people program the police department’s number, 316-978-3450, into their phone.

“This is not a time for panic, but rather a time for awareness and education,” according to WSU’s frequently asked questions webpage on the policy.

This story was originally published June 26, 2017 at 10:39 AM with the headline "9 things to know about WSU’s policy on concealed handguns."