Guns are no longer allowed on Portland State property or on any of the other seven college campuses in the Oregon University System. Last Friday, the State Board of Higher Education passed a policy by unanimous vote that immediately prohibits any person from carrying a firearm into a state university building or event.
The new policy states that anyone entering into a business relationship with a university—whether by paying tuition as a student, being hired as an employee or through buying tickets to an event—must agree not to carry guns on campus property. All campus employees, students, contractors and people attending university sporting and entertainment events are subject to the board’s ban on weapons.
Board members in favor of the policy argued that college campuses can create atmospheres that multiply the potential damage a gun could cause. In an interview with The Oregonian, PSU Campus Public Safety Office director Phillip Zerzan explained that when students are suicidal, under scholastic pressure or intoxicated, the presence of a gun increases the danger.
“I’ve witnessed the finality that firearms bring. There are no policies, therapies or do-overs that can repair the damage caused by a gunshot wound,” Zerzan said.
Despite the strict language of the ban, the new policy does not prevent individuals carrying a concealed weapon from traveling across a state university campus. It simply prohibits them from entering a building or sports arena. The board made exceptions for police as well as military training programs and hunting or target-shooting clubs.
According to OUS Chancellor Geroge Pernsteiner, punishment for violating the weapons ban depends on the perpetrator. A student will be subject to the university’s code of conduct, employees must answer to disciplinary action and contractors will be considered to be in breach of contract.
In September 2011, the board attempted to institute a ban of firearms on campuses, but the policy was struck down by the Oregon Court of Appeals after the Oregon Firearms Education Foundation filed suit challenging the weapons policy. The court’s decision claimed that only the Oregon Legislature possesses the authority to regulate guns. However, the court did say that the state board has the broad power to regulate its own property. This wording provided the board with a legal avenue to administer the gun-ban policy decided last Friday.
Biology and pre-med junior Lincoln Mosier considers himself to be a pro–gun-rights individual. He thinks a policy banning weapons from university buildings undermines a fundamental right afforded to citizens by the U.S. Constitution.
“In the city, there are more variables, people and chances for something to happen. Having some sort of protection for yourself or others is an important thing and could, in fact, save some lives,” Mosier said.
He commented that although he believed not everyone should be able to possess certain types of automatic weapons, every person has the right to “carry a pistol, taser or handgun.” He added that “it is ridiculous and unjust for the Oregon University System to impose such a policy.”
Theater arts junior Talon Bigelow had a different take on the new policy. Bigelow claimed to be quite neutral about the issue. He said he has never felt unsafe on campus, but he also didn’t see the weapons ban as a negative policy.
“I didn’t even realize guns were a problem on campus, but I don’t think [the ban] would hurt,” Bigelow said.