Possession of Weapons on Campus

The University of Michigan-Dearborn has an ordinance listed below that prohibits the possession of firearms, dangerous weapons or dangerous knives on our campus or at events. For more information regarding this ordinance, please reference Article X found on pg. 24 of the Regents' Ordinance.

Article X - Weapons

Section 1. Scope of Article X Article X applies to all property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the Regents of the University of Michigan, for which the Regents of the University of Michigan have the constitutional or statutory authority to enact ordinances, and applies regardless of whether the individual has a Regents’ Ordinance Page 24 of 40 concealed weapons permit or is otherwise authorized by law to possess, discharge, or use any device referenced below.

Section 2. Possession of Firearms, Dangerous Weapons and Knives Except as otherwise provided in Section 5, no person shall, while on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the Regents of the University of Michigan, possess any firearm, dagger, dirk, stiletto, knife with a blade over 3 inches in length, pocket knife opened by a mechanical device, iron bar, or brass knuckles.

Section 3. Discharge or Use of Firearms, Dangerous Weapons, and Knives Except as otherwise provided in Section 5, no person shall discharge or otherwise use any device listed in Section 2 on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the Regents of the University of Michigan.

Section 4. Manufacture of Firearms No person shall use University property, including University owned, leased, bailed, loaned, or otherwise possessed 3D printers, to manufacture, in whole or in part, any firearm or ammunition without the express written permission of the Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety.

Section 5. Exceptions

(a) Except to the extent regulated under Section 5(b), the prohibitions in Sections 2 and 3 of this Article X do not apply:

     (1) To University employees who are authorized to possess and/or use such a device pursuant to Standard Practice Guide 201.94;

     (2) To law enforcement officers of legally established law enforcement agencies who are authorized by their employer to possess such a device;

     (3) To retired or active peace officers carrying a weapon in compliance with the federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA), as amended, or retired peace officers that have served 15 years of aggregate service as a peace officer and retired in good standing and who are in possession of a law enforcement officer photo identification card issued by the agency from which he or she retired that clearly identifies the individual, agency, and status as retired in good standing, and who are otherwise fully qualified under Michigan Compiled Laws to legally carry a concealed weapon

     (4) To other non-University employees who are authorized by their employer to possess or use such a device during the time the employee is engaged in work requiring such a device and such possession is requisite for the nature of such work as determined at the discretion of the Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security.

     (5) To individuals fully qualified under Michigan Compiled Laws to legally carry a concealed weapon who experience an emergency need to seek medical treatment or who are assisting an individual in emergency need of medical treatment, provided that the individual carrying the weapon immediately Regents’ Ordinance Page 25 of 40 notifies a University staff member of their armed status, provides valid credentials, and cooperates with all direction including securing the weapon(s) as instructed.

     (6) To individuals fully qualified under Michigan Compiled Laws to legally carry a concealed weapon, who are operating a motor vehicle and traveling on a University-owned street, provided they do not exit their vehicle.

     (7) When someone possesses or uses such a device, provided that it is unloaded, as part of a military or similar uniform or costume in connection with a public ceremony or parade or theatrical performance;

     (8) When someone possesses or uses such a device, provided that it is unloaded, in connection with a regularly scheduled educational, recreational, or training program authorized by the University;

     (9) When someone possess or uses such a device for recreational hunting on property that has been designated for such activity by the University provided the possession and use is in strict compliance with applicable law; or

     (10) To possession of a knife with a blade in excess of 3 inches when used solely for preparation of food, instruction or maintenance.

     (11) When the Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security or the Executive Director’s designees, which shall include the Chiefs of Police at each University campus, unless otherwise designated by the Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security, has waived the prohibition based on expressly articulated extraordinary circumstances. The waiver must be in writing and must define its scope and duration.

(b) The Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security or the Executive Director’s designee with respect to the Ann Arbor campus, or the respective Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee with respect to the Dearborn and Flint campuses, may impose restrictions upon individuals who are otherwise authorized to possess or use such a device pursuant to Section 5(a) when the Executive Director, Chancellor or designee determines that the restrictions are appropriate under the circumstances.

Section 6. Violation Penalty A person who violates this Article X is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, punishable by and upon conviction, punishable by imprisonment not to exceed ninety days, and/or a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or both

Students
The following personal actions on University property or at official University functions shall be considered non-academic misconduct and be subject to disciplinary action: Use, possession, or storage of any weapon on University premises or at University-sponsored activities and events (unless approved by the Department of Public Safety; such approval will be given only in extraordinary circumstances). 

Visitors

This policy covers all Visitors (any individual who is a guest or a visitor at any event or on any portion of the University of Michigan-Dearborn property; owned or leased).

Faculty/Staff

The University of Michigan Standard Practice Guide Section 201.94 was issued on 3/12/01 to address the subject of weapon possession on campus; consult this spg in conjunction with Article X of the Regents' Ordinance.