Campus Safety

Weapon Policy

(as of October 2018)

Firearms or replicas thereof, ammunition, stun guns, airsoft guns, pellet guns, BB guns, paintball guns, knives (excluding pocketknives), swords, bows/arrows, any other weapons or devices which injure or have the potential to injure another person or property, explosives/explosive devices, fireworks, and dangerous chemicals or fuels are not permitted on campus at any time without the authorization of the College. Students may not possess or store any such weapons, devices, or materials anywhere on campus, including in a parked car.

Benefits-eligible employees of Patrick Henry College, Home School Legal Defense Association, or ParentalRights.org who possess a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm (CCF) that is legally recognized in Virginia and West Virginia are authorized to carry a concealed handgun on campus provided:

• Advanced written notification is submitted to the Office of Public Safety and Event Services (on provided form).
• The CCF carrier’s authorization to carry a concealed weapon on campus ends with his/her separation from employment with Patrick Henry College, Home School Legal Defense Association, or ParentalRights.org.
• The firearm is only carried when the CCF carrier is awake, alert, and not under the influence of any substance that may impair cognitive or psychomotor abilities.
• The carried firearm is kept fully concealed upon the CCF carrier’s person, or safely stowed out-of-sight and secured within a locked vehicle, or locked office (if applicable).
• Other than that which is fully concealed upon the CCF carrier’s person, no firearms or ammunition may be inside, kept, or stored within any campus residence hall at any time.
• CCF carriers must keep their carrying of a concealed firearm on campus wholly confidential and must keep their firearm from being seen by others on campus. No open carry of firearms is permitted on campus except for law enforcement personnel and persons expressly so authorized by the College.
• CCF carriers may not reveal, expose, show, or display their concealed firearm to any other persons on campus except when emergency conditions prompt the carrier to deploy their concealed firearm for self-defense.
• CCF carriers shall comply with all laws applicable to CCF .
• CCF carriers presumptively release the College, their employer/board/affiliated organizations/officers/employees/agents from any and all liability related to their carrying of a concealed firearm on campus.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the College reserves its right to restrict any person from bringing weapons on to campus.

Applications for requesting an exception to the above-stated policy are available through the Office of Public Safety and Event Services. All such requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are rendered by the College are final, not subject to appeal.