Weapons on Campus

I. SCOPE

The policies and procedures provided herein apply to all George Mason University faculty, staff and students.  Administrative Policy Number 1120 applies to all George Mason University locations, owned and leased.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

Consistent with the Code of Virginia, the Board of Visitors has approved a restriction against weapons on campus for faculty, staff and students.  The exception to this prohibition is for law enforcement officials appointed pursuant to §15.2-1609, et seq., of the Code of Virginia; §15.2-1700, et seq. of the Code of Virginia; §23-232, et. seq. of the Code of Virginia; §29.1-200, et seq. of the Code of Virginia; §52-1, et seq. of the Code of Virginia; and sworn federal law enforcement officers.

III.RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

A. Prohibition:

The possession of any weapon on campus by any member of the faculty, staff or student body, with the exception of law enforcement officials as cited in the policy portion of this procedure is prohibited.  Weapons are defined as follows:

Any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, razor slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, blackjack, or any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as throwing star or oriental dart.

B. Prop Weapons:

Due to the risk of being identified as a real weapon, any item which looks like a weapon in appearance and which is utilized for any purpose on all properties of George Mason University as defined in section (I. Scope), must be reported to and approved by the University Police prior to being used in any activity.  Examples of these activities include but are not limited to plays, class presentations, ROTC military exercises and Intercollegiate Athletic events.

IV. AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS

All amendments and additions to Administrative Policy Number 1120 are to be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Senior Vice President and the Office of the Provost.

V. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL

The policies herein are effective immediately.  This Administrative Policy shall be reviewed and revised, if necessary, annually and to become effective at the beginning of the University’s fiscal year, unless otherwise noted.

Approved:

_/S______________________
Maurice W. Scherrens
Senior Vice President

_/S_______________________
Peter N. Stearns
Provost

Date approved: July 23, 2007

Date of most recent review: November 3, 2020