Weapons and Firearms

Firearms and Weapons Policy

The Firearms and Weapons Policy (Policy) prohibits unconcealed and concealed firearms and weapons on all Loyola Campuses to ensure a safe and secure environment, and applies to students, employees including faculty, administrators, staff, and student workers (employees), independent contractors, volunteers, and visitors to any Loyola Campus.

 

Violations may result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion for students pursuant to Loyola’s Community Standards, termination in the case of employees, and removal/exclusion from Loyola Campuses in the case of independent contractors, volunteers, and visitors. Any firearm or weapon carried onto Loyola Campus in violation of this policy will be confiscated at the owner’s expense. Violators of this Policy may also be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution depending on the circumstances of the offense. 

Definitions

Explosive: any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. The term includes, but is not limited to, black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives, ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) mixtures, safety fuses, squibs,mixed binary explosives, and igniters. The bullets used in firearms are classified as explosive devices.  

 

Firearm: any device designed to or readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. Firearm includes, but is not limited to, handguns, rifles, pistols, and shotguns. 

 

Loyola Campus: any owned, leased or rented Loyola property or facility including all Loyola owned or leased vehicles (buses, shuttles, cars, etc.).  The location of any Loyola sponsored event or activity shall be considered Loyola Campus during such event, regardless of where it occurs (whether on or off Loyola property and including third-party venues).

 

Permit: any handgun certification or license authorizing the permit holder to carry a concealed or open firearm. This includes but is not limited to the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) issued under HR-218, hunting licenses, and concealed carry permits issued in any state.

 

Weapon: any device designed or traditionally used to inflict harm. This includes but is not limited to retractable batons, brass knuckles, switchblades, hunting knives, nun chucks, and throwing stars. Weapon also includes objects not traditionally used to inflict harm when used to cause harm. This includes baseball bats, ice picks, kitchen knives, and box cutters.  

 

Replicas, Imitations, Antiques: any item that could be mistaken for a firearm, weapon, or explosive, such as a BB gun, reproduction, antique firearm, whether operational or not, and paintball gun.

Policy

Use, possession, or storage of unconcealed or concealed firearms, weapons, explosives (including ammunition), replicas, imitations, and antiques of any kind is strictly prohibited on any Loyola Campus by any student, employee, independent contractor, volunteer, or visitor. Firearms, weapons, and bullets are only allowed on any Loyola Campus when carried by Maryland state, federal, and local municipal police officers for law enforcement purposes. Permits carried by non-law enforcement personnel are not recognized by Loyola University Maryland.

Exceptions 

The only exceptions to this Policy include:

• Law enforcement personnel (Maryland state, federal, and local municipal police officers) acting in such a capacity on the Loyola Campus.
• Part-time Baltimore Police Department officers that are employed by Loyola.  
• With respect to batons and pepper spray only: Loyola campus police officers (commissioned as SPO’s by the governor of Maryland) are required and trained to carry batons and pepper spray as part of their duties.
• Loyola sanctioned groups or events where a particular weapon, replica, imitation, or antique is required as part of the curriculum or activity, such as theatrical events, training for campus police or ROTC students, or historical lectures or displays. Those seeking such an exception must obtain advanced approval from the University by making written request to the Director of Public Safety.  
• Third parties authorized by their employer and licensed and legally permitted under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are located to possess weapons in furtherance of their duties, such as armored car services collecting cash or checks from the Loyola Campus.
• Chemical compounds used for teaching and research purposes under the supervision of faculty.
• Oleoresin capsicum spray (pepper spray) carried for self-defense.
• Knives intended and used solely for cooking or as a tool to complete a job-related task.
• Decorative swords or similar decorative weapons carried by honor guards (e.g., for the funerals or weddings of military or law enforcement members) or for religious events/ceremonies (e.g., members of the Knights of Columbus). 

Updated Policies

 

Employee Policy Manual: 2.2.2 Termination for Cause; 8.9 Workplace Violence

Student Community Standards