It is the policy of Hampden-Sydney College to maintain a safe environment for all persons, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It is the College’s policy to maintain a weapons free environment, and prohibit the possession of weapons regardless of any permit that an individual (excluding law enforcement officers) may have which would otherwise authorize the individual to carry firearms.

  1. DEFINITIONS:
    Weapons: This definition includes, but is not limited to, handguns, pistols, BB/CO2 guns, compressed air guns or pistols, rifles, muskets, long guns, stun guns, tomahawks or machetes, slingshots, archery equipment, blow guns, switchblade knives, butterfly knives, axes, metal/brass knuckles, fireworks, explosives, chemicals that are explosive (unless under the control of a College academic department), paintball guns, any toy or replica thereof, and any other weapon deemed dangerous and unauthorized. The College retains the final authority to evaluate potential dangers and what constitutes a weapon.

  2. APPLICABILITY:
    This policy applies to all College faculty, staff, affiliates, contracted service representatives, members of the general public and all visitors attending events or entering buildings on campus and to all property owned, leased, operated or controlled by the College. Please see Appendix K of the Hampden-Sydney College for the weapons policy for students.

  3. POLICY:
    1. (a) The possession or carrying of any weapon by any person other than a law enforcement officer, including licensed and non-licensed firearms, is prohibited at any time while on College owned, leased, operated, or controlled property.
    2. (b) The transportation of firearms in College vehicles is prohibited (excluding law enforcement). This includes but is not limited to, (1) to and from work, (2) when conducting College business, and (3) at all times in College-owned or leased vehicles.

  4. SEARCH:
    The College reserves the right to conduct reasonable, unannounced searches of College premises, and personal searches of employees and others while entering, on, or leaving College premises, including, but not limited to, personal effects, vehicles, lockers, desks, tool boxes, clothing, meal containers, and baggage.

  5. SANCTIONS:
    An employee who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the misconduct policies of the College, up to and including termination of employment. An affiliate who violates this policy will be subject to a revocation of affiliate status. A visitor who violates this policy will be subject to removal from campus and being barred from campus.

  6. EXCEPTIONS:
    1. (a) College employees may store lawfully possessed firearms in their locked, personal vehicles while parking at work. Firearms must be stored in a securable container (glove box, console, trunk, etc.) and the vehicle must be locked at all times.
    2. (b) This policy does not apply to law enforcement officers duly authorized to carry such weapons.

This policy is subject to review and revision by the Department of Public Safety and Police.