Weapons Prohibition
Cape Fear Community College is concerned about the safety, welfare, and protection of all individuals on College premises. Students, faculty, staff, contractors, consultants, vendors, visitors, members of the public, and all other individuals who are on College premises or attending functions sponsored by the College are strictly prohibited from having weapons in their possession. Individuals on College premises must abide by the provisions set forth in North Carolina General Statute §14-269.2. Federal statute does not supersede the North Carolina General Statute.
Definitions
College Premises – Any property in use by the College, including property that is leased, owned, used for College functions, or under the control of the College to conduct any of its courses of instruction, administrative operations, or events and activities sponsored by the College.
Weapons – Any object, visible or concealed, that is or could be used to threaten, intimidate, inflict serious bodily injury, or kill another individual. This includes, but is not limited to, guns, rifles, pistols, air guns, stun guns, other types of firearms, explosives, metallic knuckles, clubs, batons, knives or other blades, dangerous chemicals, or biological agents. Weapons also include any dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mines, or powerful device as defined in North Carolina General Statute §14-284.1.
Exceptions
An individual cannot knowingly possess “whether openly or concealed” any weapon of any kind on Cape Fear Community College property, with the following exceptions:
• A weapon or assimilated weapon used solely for instructional or ceremonial purposes in a curriculum (i.e.; Cosmetology, Marine, Culinary, etc.), entertainment purposes (i.e., Wilson Center performances), continuing education course, or course delivered or sponsored by the College, or an event officially sponsored and sanctioned by the College.
• Items or toolkits possessed by college employees and/or contractors for the purpose of performing regular job functions; including but not limited to, facilities maintenance and/or repair of equipment. An individual exempted by North Carolina General Statutes §14-269.2, §14-415.10, §14-415.24-26.
• North Carolina General Statute §14-269.2(k) allows for the following exception for individuals with a valid concealed handgun permit. The exception is limited and all of the following conditions must be met:
o The permit holder has a handgun in a closed compartment within their locked vehicle, or within a locked container securely affixed to the permit holder’s vehicle, and only unlocks the vehicle to enter and/or exit while the handgun remains securely locked within;
o The permit holder is carrying a concealed handgun on their person while remaining in their locked vehicle;
o The permit holder remains within their locked vehicle and removes the handgun from concealment only for the amount of time reasonably necessary to move the handgun from concealment on the person to a locked container within the vehicle or reverse the previous action.
• An individual registered under North Carolina General Statute Chapter 74C as an armed armored car service guard or armed courier, or armed security guard, when performing their duties.
Violations
• Individuals who possess weapons in violation of this policy may be subject to criminal penalties, as established in North Carolina General Statute §14-269.2.
• Individuals who reasonably suspect this policy is being or has been violated must immediately report the violation to campus Security.
• Individuals who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
• Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion.
• Guests, visitors, and/or contractors found in violation of this policy may be permanently trespassed, or prohibited from returning to campus.
Revision History:
November, 2023
