Possession of Dangerous Articles

Policy Statement

Adelphi 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, DEADLY WEAPONS, and DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS are essential to that goal and required by law.

Reason for Policy

The University seeks to maintain a welcoming and safe educational environment for students, employees, and visitors, and adopts this policy for possession of firearms, deadly weapons and dangerous instruments on campus and at events.

Who Is Governed by this Policy

Faculty, Staff, Students (including Alumni) and Visitors

Policy

It is understood that certain University staff members are authorized to work with dangerous substances/articles based on their job responsibilities, such as faculty in the science departments or Public Safety employees. No other person on campus, whether working or not, may possess or use dangerous articles or substances such as hazardous chemicals, biochemical agents, firearms, deadly weapons, ammunition, gunpowder, fireworks, explosives, gasoline, chemicals, knives and other dangerous instruments or substances.

Violation of this policy is a major breach of campus security, a matter of great severity and will lead to disciplinary action up to, and including, termination of employment, student sanctions as well as possible civil or criminal charges.

Definitions

Deadly Weapon: any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or serious physical injury, may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, metal knuckle, dagger, billy, blackjack, plastic knuckle, or metal knuckles.

Dangerous Instrument: any instrument, article or substance, including a “VEHICLE” as the term is defined in this section, which under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury.

Simulated Weapon: Refers to facsimiles of any category of weapon described below that resemble the actual weapon but are not capable of use as a weapon.

University Community: Includes the following persons associated with Adelphi University: (a) the Board of Trustees; (b) faculty, including visiting faculty; (c) researchers, including persons conducting research at or under the auspices of the University; (d) employees; (e) volunteers; (f) fellows, trainees, and post-doctoral appointees; (g) students (including Alumni); and (h) others who are performing activities or providing services at or under the auspices of Adelphi University, including consultants, vendors and contractors.

Vehicle: means a “motor vehicle”, “trailer”, or “semi-trailers”, as defined in the vehicle and traffic law, any snowmobile, as defined in the parks recreation law, any aircraft, or any vessel equipped for propulsion by mechanical means or sail.

Weapons: Include instruments used to inflict physical harm, that are intended to inflict harm, or that could reasonably cause fear of infliction of harm, and any item that may be deemed weapons under applicable law, including but not limited to: a pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, firearm, stun gun, BB or pellet gun, Taser, electric dart gun, and other instrument that launches a projectile by pressure resulting from combustion of propellant material, including a weapon related to or using air, sound, flare, hunting, or springs; bombs, grenades, mines, explosives, or incendiary devices (which can include “ignition devices” and aerosols); and daggers, stilettos, swords, switchblade knives, gravity knives, and knives having a blade exceeding four inches in length; and including parts, components, spare parts, or ammunition relating to the above. A disarmed weapon is a Weapon unless it is a Simulated Weapon.

Procedures

Dangerous Weapons

Adelphi University strictly prohibits the use or possession of any Weapon or Simulated Weapon by any person (i) in and/or around any and all Adelphi University facilities (whether academic, residential, or other) that are owned, leased, or controlled by Adelphi University, regardless of whether the bearer or possessor is licensed to carry that weapon, and (ii) at any University-sponsored activity or event, whether in a University facility or a non-University facility, including any participant or attendee to an University-sponsored events or programs, unless they have obtained written permission from the Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Campus Transportation to bear such weapons on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.

This prohibition does not apply to sworn federal, state or local law enforcement officers who are legally authorized to carry firearms in the jurisdiction and are at the University facilities or events in the course of their official duties and/or at the request of the University. Law enforcement officers bringing weapons to University premises must carry valid identification that establishes their law enforcement status. Authorized possession of a firearm on University premises must at all times be discreet and out of view of any casual observer.

Forms

This policy does not have forms associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy

Related Information

Article 10 – NY Penal Law

Article 265 – NY Penal Law

Code of Conduct

Reporting Procedures

Document History

• Policy Origination Date: Unknown
• Last Reviewed Date: August 5, 2024
• Policy reviewed by: Policy Owner and Policy Experts
• Last Approval Date: August 5, 2024

Who Approved This Policy

John Siderakis, Vice President of Administration and Executive Leadership