All Policies › Administration & Operations › Weapons
Weapons
Responsible Office
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
Policy Owner
Director of Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Policy Contact
Director of Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Issued
2020-10-22
Last Revised
2026-10-01
On this page: Policy Statement · Reason for Policy · Policy Scope · Procedures · Frequently Asked Questions · Forms · Appendices · Additional Contacts · Definitions · Responsibilities · Related Information · History
Policy Statement
The university prohibits all persons from carrying a prohibited weapon of any kind onto any university property.
All university employees and students are also prohibited from carrying any weapon while in the course and scope of performing their job or tasks for the university or attending or participating in sponsored university activities, whether or not they are on university property, and whether they are licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
Prop and Toy Weapons
Other than for use as props in official university activities, the university also prohibits individuals from possessing replica or “toy” weapons on campus, and from possessing on campus component parts that can be readily assembled into a weapon. If a professor gives an assignment that will require students to use a replica or toy weapon in a class, the professor must notify the Provost as far in advance as possible for review by the President’s Cabinet. If a student intends to bring a toy or replica weapon to campus for a class, program, or theatrical performance the student must notify the Provost in advance for review by the President’s Cabinet. Under no circumstances will a weapon be approved for use or display without authorization from the President’s Cabinet.
Non-Weapon Use of Tools & Equipment
Employees may possess and use knives, tools, and equipment when explicitly required for their job duties and within the scope of their work responsibilities. Students and employees may possess kitchen knives and cooking implements in food preparation areas, residence hall rooms, and university apartments for their intended culinary purpose. This exception applies to items that fall within the prohibited weapon definition but serve legitimate functional purposes in job performance, maintenance, food preparation, or daily living. This exception does not permit carrying such items outside the functional context in which they serve their intended purpose.
Authorization for Weapon Carry
The university strictly prohibits the possession or use of weapons on university property by anyone except law-enforcement officials, armored car couriers, or others specifically authorized by the university.
Employees, students, and visitors who wish to bring any weapons onto the university property must disclose in advance the intent and the intended use of such objects to the President’s Cabinet. The university at its sole discretion will grant or deny the authorization and use of any such weapons on university property. Authorization will be given or denied by the President’s Cabinet, considering whether there is a curricular or co-curricular purpose and other safety considerations.
Authority and Process for Searches
In cases of suspected possession of weapons by employees, students, and visitors, the university reserves the right to search personal belongings on the university property or at university-sponsored events, including but not limited to articles of clothing, purses, briefcases, bags, and vehicles. Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness may request the involvement of law enforcement officials. Persons may be asked to leave university property or remain in the presence of Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness personnel or Minneapolis Police until a search is conducted or until the situation is resolved safely and appropriately. Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness staff may take weapons discovered in a search into temporary custody, for safe keeping.
Reporting Weapons
The university expects all university employees, students, and visitors to help maintain safety and security at the institution and at university-sponsored activities off campus. All students, faculty, and staff who have knowledge of weapons on campus and/or at university-sponsored activities off campus have an obligation to report that knowledge promptly to the Director of Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness or, in the Director’s absence, the Associate Director or an on-duty Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness officer. Any campus visitor with such knowledge is strongly encouraged to promptly notify Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness.
Sanctions and Violations
Any individual who is found in violation of this policy and has a weapon on campus will be required to immediately remove it from campus or store it with university security. Any unsecured weapon or ammunition may be confiscated and secured by Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness personnel and will be relinquished to local law enforcement in the event the owner is not present.
Violators may be ordered to immediately leave university property.
Any student found to have violated this policy by possession or use of weapons on campus or while attending or participating in a university-sponsored activity off campus is subject to sanctions up to and including dismissal. Violators may be banned from campus and/or referred to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Any faculty, staff, and student staff member found to have violated this policy by possession or use of weapons on campus or while attending or participating in a university-sponsored activity off campus is subject to sanctions, up to and including termination of employment. Violators may be banned from campus and/or referred to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Any visitor found to have violated this policy by possession or use of weapons on campus is subject to immediate expulsion from campus by Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness and may be banned from campus and/or referred to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Reason for Policy
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety and protection of the North Central University campus community.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all university employees, students, and visitors.
Procedures
There are no procedures associated with this policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bring a gun to campus if I have a permit to carry?
A: No. The university prohibits weapons on university property and at university-sponsored activities, even for people licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
Q: What counts as a weapon?
A: Firearms, knives, stun guns and Tasers, paintball, pellet, BB, and airsoft guns, martial arts weapons, bows, slingshots, and other projectile devices, plus ammunition, arrows, and toys or replicas that could cause harm or appear threatening.
Q: Can I keep kitchen knives in my residence hall room or apartment?
A: Yes. Students and employees may keep kitchen knives and cooking tools in residence hall rooms, university apartments, and food preparation areas for cooking.
Q: Can I use knives or tools for my job?
A: Yes, when your job duties explicitly require them. You must not carry them outside the work context where they serve their purpose.
Q: Can I use a prop or replica weapon for a class or performance?
A: Only with approval. Notify the Provost in advance, and the President’s Cabinet must authorize it.
Q: Can anyone get permission to bring a weapon on campus?
A: Disclose the intent and use in advance to the President’s Cabinet. The Cabinet decides at its sole discretion, considering any curricular or co-curricular purpose and safety.
Q: What should I do if I know someone has a weapon on campus?
A: Report it promptly to Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness at 612.343.4445. In an emergency, call 911 or 612.343.4444.
Q: Can NCU search my belongings?
A: Yes. When the university suspects weapon possession, it may search clothing, bags, and vehicles on university property or at university-sponsored events.
Q: What happens if someone violates this policy?
A: The person must remove the weapon or store it with university security and may have to leave campus. Students face sanctions up to dismissal, employees face sanctions up to termination, and visitors may face removal or a ban. The university may refer violations to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Forms
There are no forms associated with this policy.
Appendices
There are no appendices associated with this policy.
Additional Contacts
| Subject | Contact | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Contact | Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness | 612.343.4445 | security@northcentral.edu |
| Student Concerns | Office of Student Development | 612.343.4450 | studlife@northcentral.edu |
| Minneapolis Police Department (Emergencies) | 911 | ||
| Campus Safety | Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness | 612.343.4445 | security@northcentral.edu |
| Campus Safety (Emergencies) | Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness | 612.343.4444 | security@northcentral.edu |
Definitions
Prohibited Weapon
Prohibited weapons include, but are not limited to, handguns, rifles, shotguns, other firearms, knives, stun guns/ Tasers, potato cannons, paintball guns, pellet/BB guns, martial arts weaponry, bows, slingshots (including those for water balloons), and any other projectile devices used in game or sporting activities, including ammunition, arrows, or other objects associated with weaponry. The university interprets this prohibition in the broadest sense to include any such weaponry and further extends it to toys or facsimiles of weapons (including airsoft guns), which can cause bodily harm or appear threatening to other persons.
University Property
All real property, buildings, and facilities under the primary control of the university through ownership, lease, or other means. This includes all public or private locations, arenas, stadiums, and halls that the university has leased for university events, including, but not limited to, academic and administrative meetings, intercollegiate and intramural sporting events, and student, faculty, and staff activities. University property also includes all places of residence owned by the university in which students reside.
Visitor
Any person who is on university property, except an employee or a student.
Responsibilities
President’s Cabinet
- Review and approve exceptions to this policy.
Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Enforce this policy.
- Respond to weapons-related incidents.
Employees and Students
- Comply with this policy.
- Report violations of this policy.
Visitors
- Comply with this policy.
Related Information
Related Legislation
History
Amended
2026-10-01 – Non-substantive updates (e.g., titles, office names, and copy errors), removed duplicated definition text, and added frequently asked questions.
2026-02-09 – Changed all references from SLT to PC and corrected grammar/style issues in definitions. Added new exception section allowing knives, tools, and equipment for job duties and functional purposes when not carried or used as weapons.
Issued
2020-10-22