Weapons and Explosives Policy

Revisions Adopted by President’s Cabinet 9/27/16; 6/27/17; 7/25/17; 7/21/22; 11/5/24
Adopted by President’s Cabinet 7/30/14

1. Policy Statement: East Georgia State College’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for the entire campus community. This includes promoting safety on campus and enforcing Georgia’s weapons on campus laws. This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, vendors, and visitors.
   
   
2. Policy: The East Georgia State College campus is designated as a school safety zone by Georgia’s Safe Carry Protection Act (also known as “Campus Carry” and defined in O.C.G.A 16-11-127.1). Except as otherwise provided herein, it is unlawful for any person to carry or possess or to have under such person’s control any weapon or explosive compound while within a school safety zone. Electroshock weapons and handguns are allowed on campus subject to certain limitations as provided by law. This policy also sets forth procedures for compliance with Campus Carry.
   
   
3. Definitions: (O.C.G.A..)
   1. “Weapon” means and includes a pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood or other similar material, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any flailing instrument such as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two point or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like kind, and any stun gun or laser. Weapon includes any dangerous weapon, machine gun, sawed off rifle or gun, shotgun or silencer. Stun guns or lasers are “electroshock weapons” and are defined as any commercially available device that is powered by electrical charging units and designed exclusively to be capable of incapacitating a person by electrical charge.
   2. "Handgun" means a firearm of any description, loaded or unloaded, from which any shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged by an action of an explosive where the length of the barrel, not including any revolving, detachable, or magazine breech, does not exceed 12 inches; provided, however, that the term "handgun" shall not include a gun which discharges a single shot of .46 centimeters or less in diameter.
   3. “Explosives” includes any explosive materials, whether chemical, other substance or mechanical, intended for the purpose of producing an explosion capable of causing bodily injury or property damage; any bacteriological weapon, biological weapon, destructive device, detonator, explosive, incendiary, or poison gas; and any hoax device, replica of a destructive device, or detonator, with the intent to cause another to believe that such hoax device or replica is a destructive device or detonator;
   4. “Concealed” – Concealed means carried in such a fashion that does not actively solicit the attention of others and is not prominently, openly and intentionally displayed except for the purposes of defense of self and others. This requires the handgun to be substantially, but not completely covered, by an article of clothing worn by the person, carrying within a bag of nondescript nature which is being carried by the person or carrying in any other fashion as to not be clearly discernible by the passive observation of others.
   5. “Lawful Weapons Carrier” - Lawful weapons carrier means any person who is licensed or eligible for a license pursuant to OCGA 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of another state who would otherwise be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in another state.
4. Exceptions:
   1. Sporting equipment possessed for legitimate use for formal or informal athletic or exercise activities.
   2. Law enforcement officers (campus police, local, state and federal law enforcement), military personnel, and other similar personnel may possess weapons as authorized by federal or state law.
   3. Lawful weapons carriers may possess weapons while under the lawful weapons carrier’s control in a motor vehicle, in a locked compartment in a motor vehicle, or in a locked container or locked firearms rack in a motor vehicle.
   4. Electroshock weapons - Persons who are 18 years or older or currently enrolled in classes on campus may carry, possess and have under his or her control an electroshock weapon while in or on any building or real property owned by or leased to EGSC. No license is required to carry, possess or use electroshock weapons. However, the use of the weapon by the person must be in defense of self or others.
   5. Handguns – Lawful weapons carriers may carry, possess or have under his or her control a handgun in any building or real property owned by or leased to East Georgia State College except in the areas designated herein.
   6. Pepper/OC spray/Mace – OC spray is not regulated under Georgia law and not prohibited by this policy.
      
      1. Excluded Areas for Handguns by Lawful Weapons Carriers: The carrying of handguns by lawful weapons carriers is not allowed in the following areas on campus:
         1. Buildings or property used by athletic sporting events where intercollegiate games are held;
         2. Student housing facilities, including fraternity and sorority houses;
         3. Preschool or childcare space (indoor and outdoor) located within such buildings or property;
         4. Classrooms or spaces used for classes in which high school students are enrolled through a dual enrollment program, including, but not limited to classes related to the “Dual Enrollment Act” as provided for under Code Section 20-4-37;
         5. Space being used for classes related to a college and career academy or other specialized school;
         6. Faculty, staff or administrative offices; however common spaces outside of those areas are not excepted; and
         7. Rooms where disciplinary proceeding are conducted for faculty, staff or students to include meetings or hearings that are part of a sexual misconduct, student conduct, dispute resolution, grievance, appeals or similar processes.
      2. Lawful Weapons Carrier’s Responsibilities: Lawful Weapons carriers may possess a handgun in all areas of campus except those areas specifically excluded as noted in 1a – 1g.
         1. It is the responsibility of lawful weapons carrier who chose to carry handguns on campus to know the law and to understand the excluded areas on campus.
         2. Storage: A lawful weapons carrier that wishes to enter a campus area where handguns are prohibited is advised to secure the handgun in his or her vehicle. East Georgia State College does not provide gun storage.
         3. Classes Containing High School Students: Lawful weapons carriers enrolled at East Georgia State College that want to carry handguns to class are responsible for determining if high school students are also enrolled in their East Georgia State College classes. This information can be obtained from the campus point of contact as noted in the “Compliance Procedures for Campus Carry” section herein.
5. Persons Exempted from this Policy:
   Instructors:  An instructor may bring a weapon to class for the purposes of informational classroom instruction relevant to the course subject area only with prior approval of the EGSC Chief of Police.
   
   
6. Violations:
   

   Violation of this policy is also a violation of Georgia law and will result in appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to, expulsion, termination, dismissal and/or referral for criminal prosecution.

7. Compliance Procedures for Campus Carry
   

   In order to comply with campus carry laws, the following will be implemented:

   1. An ARGOS report identifying courses containing registered high school students will be made available.
   2. The East Georgia State College Registrar will be designated as the primary institutional Point of Contact (POC) for information concerning campus carry.
   3. The Director of the Statesboro Center and Director of the Augusta Center will be designated as the local POC.
   4. Campus Carry laws prohibit the carry of weapons in courses for which high school students are registered.
   5. Students desiring to determine if their course schedule permits campus carry will be directed to the POC at each location for information.
   6. It is the responsibility of the lawful weapons carrier to determine the permissibility of weapons carry in each course for which they are registered.
   7. The lawful weapons carrier should be reminded, course enrollment is fluid and may change regularly, therefore, the person should check regularly with the POC to determine approved carry.
   8. Faculty interested in their courses which disallow the carry of weapons may contact the desired POC for this information.