Michigan State further restricts weapons on campus in split vote

EAST LANSING — The Michigan State University Board of Trustees Friday in a split vote approved changes to its weapons policy that place further restrictions on on-campus firearm possession.

The ordinance revisions that passed in a 5-2 vote continues MSU's general prohibition on carrying weapons on campus, with exceptions for police or others specifically authorized to do so. Language from university ordinances saying no one shall possess a weapon "except as permitted by state law regulating firearms" was stricken, and replaced with an exception for those with concealed weapon permits who drive onto campus, as long as the weapon remains in their vehicle.

MSU spokesperson Dan Olsen said Thursday the changes "provide clarity" on the school's weapons policy.

Olsen said the exception allowed in the ordinance for motorists is "Designed for those traveling on campus to reach a final destination elsewhere." He added that motorists who park their vehicles on campus even if they remain in the vehicle would be in violation, and enforcement for anyone involved in a crash or who stopped their vehicle for a mechanical problem would be left to the discretion of law enforcement.

Student activists had argued that section of the ordinance "except as permitted by state law regulating firearms" created a loophole that allows a member of the general public with a valid CCW permit to carry in outdoor public spaces on the sprawling campus.

Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar and Vice Chair Dan Kelly criticized the new policy, saying it afforded too much discretion to police officers who are charged with enforcing the ordinance.

“There's going to be people that will not be arrested and people that will be arrested, and it won't be based upon this language. It will be based upon whether or not the police officer believes they're suspicious, and that's a bad look,” said Kelly, the sole Republican member of the board.

Vassar said that while she didn’t have concerns about MSU’s police officers specifically, she had broader worried about bias among law enforcement.

“Every single person in this room has biases and we can’t all know them at any given moment,” she said. “We should try to take discretion out of these ordinances because we do know that folks have biases.”

Kelly also stated plainly that he doesn't believe the ordinance will "have any impact on the safety of this campus."

Vassar referenced an incident in August where Lansing police were seen apprehending a young Black teen who had been taking out the trash and was wearing a similar clothing to a suspect in a vehicle theft.

"We do know that discretion has been an issue with police," she said. "We do know that we have certain populations who are policed in different ways."

Vassar clarified after the meeting that the regulation would prevent visitors, employees and contractors from leaving weapons in parked vehicles. To comply with the regulation, they would have to turn their firearms into MSU police upon arriving to campus, she said.

Vassar also said signs would be posted at campus entrances making it clear that firearms aren't allowed for the general population but she said she wasn't sure when those would be installed.

MSU employees, students, faculty and staff are prohibited from having a weapon on campus regardless of any permit.

The vote came seven months after a man killed three students and injured five others on campus.

MSU's firearm ordinance hasn't been amended since June 2009 and has long been discussed, and the timing of the new resolution is connected to a July 20 Michigan Court of Appeals ruling involving the University of Michigan's weapons policy, the board's agenda noted.

The appeals court ruling clarified public universities’ ability to regulate the possession and use of guns on their property. The ordinance now plainly states that “the possession or use of any firearm or weapon is prohibited upon property governed by the Board.”

Trustee Kelly Tebay credited student activists with keeping the issue at the forefront of the board’s consideration while legal challenges to university firearm enforcement progressed through the courts.

“They're the ones that brought this ordinance to me and subsequently continued to engage and educate us on why it was important to change this ordinance,” she said. “And I think obviously after what happened on February 13, it was even more important that we do this.”

Marlon Lynch, vice president and chief safety officer, said Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane had said his office would consider charges based on the ordinance revisions. The previous prosecutor, Carol Siemon, previously had said her office would not enforce the charges if the amendment was implemented, Lynch said.

Lynch said the policy was similar to those enforced by other universities in the state.

Lynch was also asked by student liaison Hannah Jeffry whether the policy would have prevented the deaths of the three students in the Feb. 13 shooting. He said the shooter’s possession of a weapon on campus was already a criminal offense since he didn’t have a concealed carry license.

Trustee Dennis Denno was not present at the meeting due to an illness.

Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State University further restricts weapons on campus in split vote