Document Number:
COPS-0006
Policy Owner:
University Police
Revision #:
v3.0
Status:
Approved

General Description

Policy Summary:

Trinity University (“Trinity” or the “University”) seeks to provide a safe, secure environment in which to pursue its educational mission. Consequently, all members of the Trinity community, including faculty, staff, students, University affiliates,  third parties, contractors, and visitors, are prohibited from possessing firearms, explosives, other dangerous weapons (as defined by this Policy), and replicas of dangerous weapons on Trinity premises, in buildings where a Trinity-sponsored activity is held, and/or in passenger transportation vehicle either owned by or contracted by Trinity University.

This prohibition against weapons possessions is in effect to the full extent allowed under Texas laws, including laws pertaining to weapons generally (Texas Penal Code §46.03) and to concealed handgun licenses (Texas Penal Code §46.035).

Purpose:

Trinity University expects all members of the campus community to help safeguard the community by reporting promptly to the Trinity University Police Department (TUPD) any weapons discovered to be present on campus. Persons should report any concerns about violations of this policy to the TUPD’s Chief of Police, the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Dean of Students, or a supervisor.

Any person concerned about an imminent threat of violence on university property or at a University-sponsored event should report the concern immediately to TUPD at 210-999-7000.

Scope:

This policy applies to faculty, staff, students and affiliates, as well as third-parties,  contractors and visitors to Trinity University or any Trinity University premises.

Exceptions:

The only exceptions to this prohibition on the possession or storage of weapons at Trinity University are the following: 
  • Military personnel in the performance of their official duties or commissioned peace officers as defined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedures Article 2.12. 
  •  Exceptions permitted in writing by Trinity’s Chief of Police. 
  •  Approved university experiments or projects if written permission has first been obtained from Trinity’s Chief of Police

Policy Content

The carrying or possession of any type of weapon or firearm on  Trinity University  premises is strictly and absolutely prohibited. This prohibition expressly includes those persons licensed to carry concealed firearms (other than those who are licensed peace officers or otherwise described in the “Exceptions” section above). 

For the purposes of this policy, the premises of Trinity are defined as any property, building, or portion of a building or property that Trinity owns or occupies, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, and any off-site premises where Trinity is conducting any activity sponsored by Trinity. This includes all parking lots, parking areas, sidewalks and walkways, and all Trinity-owned or leased vehicles and equipment. 

Any person violating this policy will be required to leave Trinity’s premises immediately. Any employee found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline, including immediate termination.

Terms & Definitions

Terms and Definitions:

Term:

Definition:
Handgun or Pistol A handgun is any firearm that is designed, made, or adapted to be fired with one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns (which usually can be braced against the shoulder). The most common types of handguns carried by license holders are semiautomatic pistols and, to a lesser degree, revolvers.
License Holder   A person licensed to carry a handgun under Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code.
Open Carry The handgun is intentionally displayed by the license holder.
Possession Possession includes, but is not limited to, having the weapon on one’s person or storing the weapon in the workplace, residential facilities, lockers, desks, briefcases, any type of carrying bags or containers, or vehicles on University property
Premises Any property, building, or a portion of a building or property that Trinity owns or occupies, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, and any off-site premises where Trinity is conducting any activity sponsored by Trinity. This includes all parking lots, parking areas, sidewalks and walkways, and all Trinity-owned or - leased vehicles and equipment as permitted by Texas Law.
Trinity University Property Buildings, grounds, and land that are owned by Trinity University or controlled by Trinity University via leases or other formal contractual arrangements to house ongoing Trinity University operations.
TUPD Trinity University Police Department
Weapon As used in this policy, the term “weapon” encompasses any object or substance designed to inflict a wound, incapacitate or cause injury and includes, but is not limited to, the following: 
● firearms, including, without limitation, rifles, shotguns, handguns, BB or pellet guns, compressed-air guns, stun guns, paintball or airsoft guns; 
● ammunition, including materials for making ammunition; 
● explosive material, including bombs, grenades, rockets, and fireworks;
● chemical weapons (other than small chemical dispensers sold commercially for personal protection, such as pepper spray); 
● daggers, swords, spears, knives with blades longer than 5½ inches, switchblades, butterfly knives, and other bladed weapons (including those intended for ceremonial or decorative uses); 
● slingshots, bows and arrows, clubs, blackjacks, nightsticks, hunting or martial arts weapons; 
● weapons prohibited by Texas Penal Code Chapter 46 (which includes a variety of firearms, handguns, zip guns, clubs, knives, fake bombs, explosive weapons, and components of explosives that are possessed with the intent to create an explosive weapon); 
● other dangerous weapons, especially those intended for warfare, combat, or hunting; and 
● replicas or other objects that are made to look like actual weapons and could reasonably be mistaken by community members or police officers as actual weapons (including toy, fake, or facsimile weapons). 

Any questions about whether an item may constitute a “weapon” addressed by this policy should be directed to TUPD.

Revision Management

Revision History Log:

Revision #:

Date:

Recorded By:
v3.0 10/24/2023 8:40 AM Pamela Mota
v2.0 9/3/2021 9:46 AM Gary Logan
v1.0 8/12/2019 10:34 AM Jennifer Gilmore Adamo

 

Vice President Approval:

Name:

Title:
Gary Logan Vice President for Finance & Administration