Weapons and Campus Carry Policy
Weapons and Campus Carry Policy
Texas A&M University-Kingsville strives to provide a safe and secure environment for its students, staff and faculty. Texas A&M University-Kingsville prohibits the possession or storage of any weapons, fireworks or explosives on university premises or at any university-sponsored activity, except in the following cases:
- law enforcement personnel engaged in the official performance of their assigned duties;
- approved university experiments and/or projects;
- transporting of firearms to and from a place of storage on campus;
- TAMUK ROTC; and
- other approved academic use.
The term “weapons” may be defined as any object or substance designed to inflict a wound, cause injury, or incapacitate.
The university prohibits the possession of the following items on any Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus or university-sponsored event. These include but are not limited to:
- Handguns, revolvers, pistols, BB guns, pellet guns, etc.
- Chemical weapons and/or explosives (including bullets or fireworks)
- Location-Restricted Knives, bows and arrows, slingshots
- Martial arts weapons
Simulated or toy weapons that look like real weapons are similarly prohibited on campus unless approved in advance for a special university event. University officials encourage anyone who has or owns any weapon to contact the University Police Department to arrange to store such items. The University Police Department will secure all weapons, providing a receipt for items stored. Each item will be checked for status, and a criminal history check will be conducted before the item is returned. All requests, exceptions, and interpretations of this policy will be managed by the University’s Chief of Police. (593-2611)
Unlawful Carrying a Weapon (Texas Penal Code, Chapter 46.02)
A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, location-restricted knife, or club.
Prohibited Weapons (Texas Penal Code, Chapter 46.05)
A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells any of the following:
- Explosive weapon
- Machine gun
- Short-barrel firearm
- Firearm silencer
- Knuckles
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Chemical dispensing device
- Zip gun
- Tire deflation device
Texas Campus Concealed Carry Law
On June 1, 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11 into law. Effective August 1, 2016, this law authorizes a handgun license holder to carry a concealed handgun on the campus of an institution of higher education, subject to the institution’s rules. “Campus” includes all land and buildings owned or leased by the institution. The open carry of a handgun on Texas A&M University-Kingsville premises is prohibited.
Quick Facts Related to the Campus Concealed Carry Law
- Must be 21 years old.
- Must take and pass the DPS-regulated concealed handgun class.
- First-time CHL applicants must complete 4–6 hours of classroom training, pass a written exam, and a proficiency demonstration (shooting).
- All instruction must be conducted by a DPS-certified CHL instructor.
Carrying Concealed Handguns on Campus (Campus Rule 34.06.02.k1)
- Rule Establishment: The TAMUK President established this rule after consulting students, staff, and faculty. It was reviewed and approved by the system board of regents.
- Permit Holders: CHL holders may carry a concealed handgun on or about their person while on campus or in a TAMUK vehicle, unless prohibited by law or this rule. Open carry is prohibited. Licensed peace officers are authorized to carry firearms at all times.
- Enforcement: TAMUK enforces state law on campus via:
- Investigation and action by university police or applicable law enforcement agencies, including referral for criminal prosecution.
- Disciplinary action for violations of campus rules applicable to students, faculty, and staff.
- Storage of Handguns in Residential Facilities:
- Applies to residence halls or other TAMUK owned residential facilities.
- Resident CHL holders may store handguns if they:
- Provide a safe intended for handguns, inspected and installed through the Department of University Housing & Residence Life; or
- Apply for a safe through the Department, which will oversee installation.
- Rules for Carrying a Concealed Handgun on Campus:
- State Law Prohibitions: License holders must comply with all applicable state law prohibitions.
- Federal Law Prohibitions: License holders must comply with all applicable federal law prohibitions.
- Other Prohibited Campus Locations: CHL holders are prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun in the following locations:
- Academy High School
- Marc A. Cisneros Center for Young Children
- University Speech and Hearing Clinic
- University Child Literacy Laboratory
- Premises hosting UIL and interscholastic events with minors as primary attendees (band camp, sports camps, etc.)
- Campus laboratories containing compressed gasses, flammable solvents, flammable liquids, or unstable chemicals
- Student Health and Wellness (all areas)
- Stadiums, ballparks, gymnasiums, court areas, or track and field facilities hosting interscholastic, intercollegiate, or professional sporting events
- Athletic practice fields and marching band practice fields during Academy High School practice sessions
- Third floor, Irma Rangel College of Pharmacy building (pharmacy labs and chemical areas)
- TAMUK Citrus Center in Weslaco:
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- Research labs 214–229 and open central lab
- Two chemical storage buildings east of greenhouses and north of main building
- Auto repair shop
- Post-harvest shed & workshop
- Student Recreation Center
- Any campus premises where the university, as directed or approved by the president for safety, gives effective notice under Section 30.06, Penal Code. “Owner of the property” in this section means the university president. Notices will be institutional and apply to all CHL holders
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