Policy on Weapons on Campus

Policy Number: 604

Safety and Security

The permanent link for this policy is: https://policies.northeastern.edu/policy604/

I. Purpose and Scope

Northeastern University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment in which to study, research, live, work and visit. Prohibitions on the possession and use of firearms and other dangerous weapons are essential to that goal, and required by law.

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors, and to all activities undertaken on any Northeastern campus, or in areas that are leased or occupied for University activities.

II. Definitions

For purposes of this policy,

Firearm means any pistol, revolver, rifle, smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet, or pellet can be discharged by whatever means, including BB guns, air guns, paintball guns, or other projectile devices.

Dangerous Weapon means those items which are, by their nature, capable of causing serious injury or death, including but not limited to firearms, knives, stilettos, daggers, switch knives, double edge knives, ballistic knives, knives with a detachable blade capable of being propelled, metallic knuckles, black jacks, blow guns, sling shots, nunchaku, zoobow, kung fu sticks, throwing stars, leather armbands or other clothing that has metallic spikes, points, or studs, explosives, explosive agents of any kind, chemical sprays, mace, oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray), tear gas, or other dangerous weapons or articles. Any item, including innocent items, when used in a dangerous fashion such as an assault and battery, may be considered a dangerous weapon.

III. Policy

The University prohibits the use, possession or sale of firearms, whether loaded or unloaded, on campus, including residence hall rooms, by anyone other than University police or other law enforcement personnel, even if the person has a legal license or permit to carry the firearm.

The University also strictly prohibits the use or possession of all other dangerous weapons, including replicas.
Weapons will be confiscated by the University Police and violators may be subject to removal from campus, termination from employment, referral for student disciplinary action, including suspension or separation, and/or criminal prosecution.

A student who possesses any articles for sporting purposes (for example, bow and arrows) should check with the University Police or Residential Life to determine whether such articles are among those prohibited by statute or University regulation.

IV. Additional Information

Violations of this policy may also constitute violation of state law. For example, Massachusetts law prohibits anyone from carrying a firearm in any building or any grounds of a college or university campus. Under North Carolina law, it is a felony to possess or carry any gun, rifle, pistol or other firearm of any kind on educational property. Violations of weapons laws are reported under federal and state law.