This policy applies to all persons who are enrolled in, employed by, visiting, or providing services to Northampton Community College. This policy applies equally to those persons who have a government issued license to carry a concealed firearm. Any college employee or student having such a license and wishing to carry their weapon on college property for compelling reasons related to their personal safety must request an exception to this policy by contacting the Chief of Public Safety. Such requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This policy does not apply to:
- Authorized College Public Safety Personnel.
- Commissioned officers of jurisdictional Police Departments.
- Duly appointed law enforcement officers conducting official business.
- Members of the United States Armed Forces when in uniform and conducting official business.
- Agents of contractors conducting related official business.
Definitions
A deadly or offensive weapon is defined as any device designed to produce death or serious bodily injury. Offensive weapons may be any device so defined under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code Section 908 (c) i.e., those which serve no common lawful purpose. For the purposes of this policy, deadly and offensive weapons may include, but are not limited to:
- Firearms, loaded or unloaded
- Pellet, flare, paint, tranquilizer, stun, spear, or dart guns
- Knives with blades longer than 3 inches
- Any cutting instrument where the blade is exposed in an automatic way
- Daggers or swords
- Striking instruments including clubs, truncheons and blackjacks
- Martial arts weapons
- Bow and arrow combinations
- Explosive devices
- Ammunition or components to manufacture ammunitions
The definition of deadly or offensive weapons under this policy does not include devices sold commercially such as aerosol dispensers or non-lethal chemical irritants, small pocket knives, or general tools not designed as weapons and used for their intended and lawful purpose.
Policy
The possession or carrying of any deadly or offensive weapon by any person is prohibited in any Northampton Community College academic buildings, administrative buildings, student residence halls (both NCC owned or leased), dining facilities, athletic facilities, or while attending a sporting, entertainment or educational event on campus property or sponsored by the college. Entry upon college property in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden and will result in the individual being directed to remove the weapon immediately from college property or sponsored event. Failure to comply with such directives may result in further disciplinary action for students and employees.
Due to the risk of being identified as a real weapon, any replica, prop weapon, or item which looks like a weapon and is used for any purpose on college property must be reported to and approved by the Chief of Public Safety & Security or designee prior to use in any activity. It shall be the responsibility of the faculty member or other employee producing or coordinating such activities to secure written approval and to store the item(s) in a manner that is approved by the Chief before conducting the activity.
