Spring Break
Police remind Univ. of weapons policy
CAROLYN CRIST
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Students who carry weapons on campus - even paintball guns, BB guns or slingshots - will be arrested and charged, according to a campus-wide e-mail sent by University Police Tuesday evening.
"I send a message to students every fall to inform them of the policy," said University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson. "Some students think certain sporting goods are OK on campus, but not knowing the law and making a mistake is not a defense."
Last year, 16 students were arrested on firearm or weapon possession charges.
Campus Contraband
University Police will arrest students who keep or carry the following weapons on campus, regardless of their intentions:
• paintball guns
• BB guns
• potato guns
• air soft guns
• clubs
• nunchaku
• machine guns
• sawed-off shotguns or rifles
• biological weapons
• poison gases
• hoax devices, such as fake bombs or explosive packages
• slingshotsThe University's policy mirrors state laws, which prohibits using, possessing, manufacturing, distributing, maintaining, transporting or receiving any weapon on campus or at University-sponsored events. Students, employees or visitors who violate the policy will be arrested.
"We show no discretion with arrests. There is no reason for weapons to be on campus," Williamson said. "But a felony charge is serious, so I send the e-mail each year to be informative and proactive."
Firearms, weapons and explosives included in the policy are paintball guns, BB guns, potato guns, air soft guns, clubs, nunchaku, machine guns, sawed-off shotguns or rifles, biological weapons, poison gases and hoax devices such as fake bombs or explosive packages.
"Most cases don't involve malicious intent, but Georgia has one of the toughest possession laws in the 50 states, and it can affect people's lives," Williamson said.
Under the policy, students are not exempt if they carry a valid firearm or concealed weapon permit. However, he said, University employees and visitors are exempt if the weapon is legal to possess under a firearm permit and is kept in a locked compartment of a motor vehicle, usually the glove compartment.
"It is a Constitutional right to carry a weapon to and from your place of business, but it cannot be removed from your vehicle, which is an extension of the home," Williamson said.
"As a student, you choose to be here, and it is a privilege."
Under Georgia law, campus police officers are not prohibited from carrying weapons on campus. More information about the policy can be found on the University Web site at www.police.uga.edu/weapons.
"I send a message to students every fall to inform them of the policy," said University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson. "Some students think certain sporting goods are OK on campus, but not knowing the law and making a mistake is not a defense."
Last year, 16 students were arrested on firearm or weapon possession charges.
Campus Contraband
University Police will arrest students who keep or carry the following weapons on campus, regardless of their intentions:• paintball guns
• BB guns
• potato guns
• air soft guns
• clubs
• nunchaku
• machine guns
• sawed-off shotguns or rifles
• biological weapons
• poison gases
• hoax devices, such as fake bombs or explosive packages
• slingshots
"We show no discretion with arrests. There is no reason for weapons to be on campus," Williamson said. "But a felony charge is serious, so I send the e-mail each year to be informative and proactive."
Firearms, weapons and explosives included in the policy are paintball guns, BB guns, potato guns, air soft guns, clubs, nunchaku, machine guns, sawed-off shotguns or rifles, biological weapons, poison gases and hoax devices such as fake bombs or explosive packages.
"Most cases don't involve malicious intent, but Georgia has one of the toughest possession laws in the 50 states, and it can affect people's lives," Williamson said.
Under the policy, students are not exempt if they carry a valid firearm or concealed weapon permit. However, he said, University employees and visitors are exempt if the weapon is legal to possess under a firearm permit and is kept in a locked compartment of a motor vehicle, usually the glove compartment.
"It is a Constitutional right to carry a weapon to and from your place of business, but it cannot be removed from your vehicle, which is an extension of the home," Williamson said.
"As a student, you choose to be here, and it is a privilege."
Under Georgia law, campus police officers are not prohibited from carrying weapons on campus. More information about the policy can be found on the University Web site at www.police.uga.edu/weapons.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 10
Jeremiah Johnson
posted 9/20/07 @ 8:48 AM EST
Not allowing students to carry weapons on campus makes me feel safe.
After all, if guns are against the rules, nobody will ever get shot! Right guys?
Ed
posted 9/20/07 @ 9:18 AM EST
I remember freshmen year, my Hall had a University sponsored paintball match, so I brought my paintball gun from home to use it. I know that campus must be a safe place, but I think it's quite ridiculous to think that I could have gotten a felony charge. (Continued…)
EdDawg84
Ed
posted 9/20/07 @ 9:22 AM EST
I remember freshmen year, my Hall had a University sponsored paintball match, so I brought my paintball gun from home to use it. I know that campus must be a safe place, but I think it's quite ridiculous to think that I could have gotten a felony charge. (Continued…)
fearful
posted 9/20/07 @ 9:40 AM EST
It makes it easier for them to brutilize you. They don't like competition. It messes with thier buzz. They like a nice clean high.
Scott
posted 9/20/07 @ 10:01 AM EST
As a civic-minded alumni with a concealed weapons permit, I am continually disgusted by the absolute disregard of the 2nd amendment by my Alma Mater.
Prohibitions of weapons never deters those with malicious intent and only prevents those who have taken the steps to be legally armed from defending themselves. (Continued…)
dasani
posted 9/20/07 @ 10:56 AM EST
DON'T TASE ME, BRO!
Lamesauce
posted 9/20/07 @ 4:25 PM EST
My spouse got arrested for felony possession of a weapon on campus last year.
FOR POSSESSION OF A BASEBALL BAT!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, obviously the case was dropped. (Continued…)
Moose
posted 9/20/07 @ 4:42 PM EST
I think its amusing in the enumerated list of no-no's that pistols and revolvers are not included. Maybe i am the only one that pays attention, but if you are going to publish a list like that, either include just oddities or publish the whole list. (Continued…)
Rob
posted 9/20/07 @ 10:01 PM EST
You ever see those so called "hunting" trips where they stake out the animal for some suit and tie from a big city to come out and shoot? Thats what these no gun zones are like except its the citizen thats being staked out. (Continued…)
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