Weapons on Campus

Texas law prohibits the possession of illegal firearms, illegal knives and other prohibited weapons (as defined below) by those unauthorized to do so on the premises of an educational institution. Possession of an unauthorized weapon, firearm or an open carried hand gun on college premises is a third-degree felony; excluding authorized law enforcement officers in the actual discharge of his/her duties. See the CTCD website for additional information. If you are in a location outside of Texas, you must comply with the local rules and laws.

Simulated Weapons:

The limited use of simulated weapons under specific circumstances may be authorized for special events or use.

Simulated weapons shall be constructed of these materials only:

1. Corkboard
2. Cardboard
3. Foam
4. Soft plastic - i.e. plastic that cannot be used to injure another. Use of plastic is on a case-by-case basis as determined by the CTCD Police; and
5. Paper/paper–mâché

No simulated weapon constructed of wood, metal or metal parts will be allowed, including, but not limited to: any simulated weapon with a blade, simulated hand guns or simulated long guns without proper authorization.

All simulated weapons capable of firing projectiles must be rendered inoperable, excluding non- modified Nerf guns.

Pre-Authorization of Allowed Simulated Weapons

No less than five (5) business days in advance of the event or intended use, all simulated weapons must be inspected by Campus Police. Inspections may also be verified on the day of the event at CTCD’s discretion. Once approved, the CTCD Police will tag the simulated weapon and the weapon must show the most recent inspection date for the event or use.

All simulated weapons must clearly be imitation. All “real looking” simulated weapons are prohibited and subject to confiscation.

Any exceptions to the simulated weapons policy must be approved by the Campus Police and Risk Management at least fourteen (14) business days prior to the event.

Weapons on Campus Policy (Texas only):

In accordance with Texas Penal Code §46.03 or applicable state laws of the campus location or site, all use, storage, carrying or possession of a firearm or other weapon, concealed or otherwise, other than a concealed handgun as authorized under CTCD Safety Policy 131, is prohibited on campuses and at all college events. A copy of the Safety Policy 131 can be found in the office of Risk Management at 254501-3028.

This policy does not apply to:

1. Licensed Law Enforcement Officers.
2. Students enrolled in, and while participating in, CTCD-authorized courses utilizing weapons.
3. Managers/supervisors and instructors authorized to utilize weapons for instructional purposes for CTCD-authorized courses.
4. To the extent there is a conflict with CTCD locations on military installations, CTCD students shall follow the guidelines and procedures of the military installation.
5. A Texas-recognized handgun license authorizing the carrying of a concealed handgun may create an exemption to this policy. See CTCD Safety Policy 131 or Human Resource Policy 716 for concealed carry requirements on Campus.

Student Information on Campus Carry (Texas):

Individuals, including CTCD students, may carry a concealed handgun while on campus unless prohibited by state or federal law, or by CTCD policy. Open carrying of handguns is always prohibited on CTCD campuses. Individuals who are otherwise prohibited from carrying a handgun in public in the state of Texas are also prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun on CTCD campus. All concealed handgun carriers are responsible for knowing areas where carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited to include locations on campus where notice is not required to be posted. No one is authorized to carry a concealed handgun on CTCD campus while intoxicated.

Carrying a handgun on campus requires the handgun to be contained in a holster that completely covers the entire trigger guard area at all times. The holster must have sufficient tension or grip to retain it in the holster, even when jostled or shaken.

All concealed handguns on campus must be carried on or about the person at all times in a secure and concealed manner, or secure the handgun in a concealed manner in a locked, privately owned or leased motor vehicle. In compliance with Texas Penal Code §46.035, a license holder may not carry a handgun that is partially or wholly visible on campus, regardless of whether the handgun is holstered. Partially or wholly visible is defined as any portion of the actual handgun being visible, but does not include merely a visible outline of a handgun otherwise properly concealed.

All concealed handguns brought on campus must be holstered and be on or about the license holder’s person, which requires that at all times the handgun must be within arm’s reach of the license holder without him/her materially changing their position.

Storage of any weapon on CTCD property, including handguns, is prohibited, to specifically include any CTCD lockers. Handguns may only be stored, out of sight, in a personally owned or leased vehicle.

Display of a Concealed Handgun. A partially or wholly visible handgun, the intentional or knowing display a handgun in plain view of another person, even if holstered, while on campus premises, including public driveways, streets, sidewalks or walkways, parking lots, or other parking areas is prohibited.

Requirement to Display License. A license holder must display his or her License when directed by a law enforcement officer in accordance with section 411.205 of the Texas Government Code.

Gun-Free Zones: A location or area of campus, a building, or a room in which the possession of all weapons, specifically including a licensed concealed handgun, is prohibited and such location is identified as a Gun-Free Zone in accordance with Texas laws.

Gun Free Zones By Law and/or CTC Policy:

1. All locations used for early childhood education, daycare, Pre-K-12 school learning or activities, and all areas and CTCD events predominately visited by minor children.
2. CTCD Mental Health care service locations, including individual and group sessions.
3. Areas for all sporting or interscholastic events.
4. Polling locations – to include early voting.
5. Locations where the Board of Trustees is meeting.
6. All Independent School District locations, Example: Shoemaker Center, Bldg. 224.
7. All other locations where the carrying of handguns is proscribed by Texas or federal law.
8. Mayborn Science Theater during events for minors, such as Cub Scout meetings, ISD events, minor’s birthday parties, etc.
9. Sole occupant offices at occupant’s discretion. Occupant must post a sign or give verbal notice to visitors that their office is a gun-free zone. An employee designating his/her office as a gun-free zone shall also be prohibited from having a handgun in that office. Occupant’s duties that require them to meet with a license holder will make reasonable arrangements to meet them in a location in which the license holder is permitted to possess a concealed handgun under CTC policies and state law.
10. Locations used to discuss discipline with a student or employee or hear grievances.
11. Morton Hall residence housing is a gun-free zone as to all areas, with the exception of the study room, lobby and lounge, game room and T.V. room. This will not prevent the parents of dorm residents or CTCD staff frequenting Morton Hall to conduct CTC business from carrying a concealed handgun into dorm rooms in accordance with this policy.
12. Locations where dangerous materials or chemicals are stored or used, such as science laboratories, facilities chemical storage locations, power plant, etc.
13. CTCD owned, rented or leased vehicles when used to transport only minors or for transportation for sporting or interscholastic events.
14. Areas containing critical college infrastructure.
15. Areas where contractual or licensing obligations require exclusion of firearms.

A student who possesses an item or material in violation of the campus carry and weapons policies may be subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct, up to and including expulsion, for the first occurrence. Any person in violation of the policies, which also constitutes a violation of Texas or federal laws, may be subject to arrest and prosecution, in addition to CTCD disciplinary action. It is the responsibility of the license holder to be familiar with campus carry laws, gun free zones and required signs prohibiting the carrying of a concealed weapon.

A direct link to all campus carry information and policies can be found at: http://www.ctcd.edu/ locations/central-campus/campus-safety-wellness/safety-and-security/campus-carry-implementation/