Weapons Policy

WEAPONS, DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS, EXPLOSIVES, FIREWORKS, AND PERSONAL PROTECTION DEVICES ON CAMPUS

Arizona Board of Regents policies 5-303 and 5-308 prohibit the use, possession, display or storage of any Weapons, Dangerous Instruments, Explosive Devices, or Fireworks, among other things, on The University of Arizona campus and on all land and in all buildings owned or under the control of The University of Arizona on behalf of the Arizona Board of Regents, except as provided in Section 12-781 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. No concealed carry permit exempts a person from these policies. These policies apply to all University of Arizona students, employees, visitors and guests.

Requests for exceptions to these policies may be reviewed and granted by the Chief of Police of the University of Arizona Police Department as the authorized University official.

Arizona Board of Regents Policy 5-308 (F)(24)(b) provides the following exception: "Use, possession, display, or storage (of weapons) is specifically authorized by an Arizona or federal statute governing law enforcement officers."

Definitions

Arizona Board of Regents Policies 5-302(22) and 5-308(E)(30) define a “Weapon” as follows:
- Weapon: Refers to any object or substance designed to (or which could be reasonably expected to) inflict a wound, cause injury, incapacitate, or cause death, including, without limitation, all firearms (loaded and unloaded, simulated and real), devices designed to expel a projectile (such as bb guns, air guns, pellet guns, and potato guns), swords, knives with blades of 5 inches or longer, martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, and chemicals such as tear gas, but personal safety devices as defined ( see below) are not included in the definition of “weapon.”
Arizona Board of Regents Policy 5-302(5) and 5-308(E)(7) define “Dangerous Instrument” as follows:
- Dangerous Instrument: Means anything that under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.
Arizona Board of Regents Policy 5-308(E)(11) and (13) define “Explosives” and “Fireworks” as follows:
- Explosive: Any dynamite, nitroglycerin, black powder or other similar explosive material including plastic explosives; any breakable container that contains a flammable liquid with a flash point of 150 degrees F or less and has a wick or similar device capable of being ignited.
- Fireworks: Any fireworks, fire crackers, sparklers, rockets or any propellant-activated devise whose intended purpose is primarily for illumination.

Violations

Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-2911 prohibits the interference with or disruption of an educational institution, which includes non-compliance with or violations of Arizona Board of Regents Policies 5-303 and 5-308. Individuals who violate these policies may be subject to arrest under ARS Title 13.

Additional Information

Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 13-3102(A)(1)(b) requires that a person asked by a law enforcement officer if they are carrying a concealed weapon is required to accurately answer that officer. This statute applies to all University of Arizona students, employees, guests, and visitors.

Request for Exceptions

Pursuant to Arizona Board of Regents Policy 5-308 (F)(24), requests for exceptions to prohibitions on the use, possession, display or storage of a weapon, dangerous instrument, explosive material or device, torch, device with open flames, fireworks, bomb-making materials or dangerous chemical on University property, at a University sponsored activity or otherwise contrary to University policy must be submitted in writing and are subject to the following review process:

Any request to use, possess, display, or store a weapon on University property in connection with official University business must first be reviewed by the responsible Dean or Department Head. The Dean or Department Head may comment and shall forward the request to the Provost at: provost@arizona.edu for review and comment. The request must then be forwarded to the Chief of Police of the University of Arizona Police Department in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the intended date of such use, possession, display, or storage.

The written request must have:

Name of the requesting individual(s) and name(s) of individuals for whom the exception request is being made;
- Contact information for the requesting individual(s), including:
  - telephone number
  - email address
  - mailing address;
Identify the purpose of the request.
Identify how this request furthers the mission of the University.
Identify the weapon.
Identify the duration of the request.
Identify a responsible person.
Identity how the weapon will be secured.
Identify how the weapon will or may be used.

The request will be evaluated by the Chief of Police, or his/her designated representative, and a written decision rendered within ten (10) working days. If the request is approved, the approval will include any conditions or restrictions necessary to require safety and consistency with the intent of the Arizona Board of Regents policy. If approval is given for an indefinite period of time it must be reviewed annually and renewed by the requestor. The University of Arizona Police Department will keep all approved requests on file and available for confirmation by police officers.

Personal Safety Devices Permitted on University of Arizona Property

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 1, 2018

Pursuant to Arizona Board of Regents Policies 5-302(12) and 5-308(E)(17), the following personal safety devices are permitted on University of Arizona property:

Over-the-counter, commercially available electroshock devices, including conducted electrical weapons designed to protect personal safety from physical attacks by other people
Over-the-counter, commercially available chemical repellents designed to protect personal safety from physical attacks by other people
Blades of less than 5 inches
Tactical pens
Hi-Intensity tactical flashlight or strobe devices
Personal alarms, including hi-volume, audible, alert/alarm devices (may include visual and audio effects)
Expandable or fixed batons no longer than 26” in total length
Over-the–counter, commercially available key-ring defensive tools

If an individual wishes to seek to have a device or item added to this list, please provide the following information in writing to the University of Arizona Police Department:

Name of requesting individual.
Contact information for requesting individual, including mailing address, email address, and telephone number.
Detailed description of proposed personal safety device or item to be included on this list.
Detailed statement of the rationale for inclusion of the personal safety device or item on this list.

Please direct requests to:

Office of the Chief of Police

The University of Arizona Police Department

1852 E. First Street

Tucson, AZ 85721

Such requests shall be considered by the University of Arizona on a case-by-case basis and a response shall be provided to the requestor as to whether the request is granted or denied. Inclusion of any device on this list is solely at the discretion of the University of Arizona.