Weapons On Campus

North Carolina General Statute 14-269.2 makes it unlawful for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any gun, rifle, pistol, knife, Taser, pepper spray and all other chemical agents used to incapacitate, batons, martial art weapons or any other weapon of like kind, as defined by State statute, on any college campus.

The Statute includes an exception that allows persons who have a legally valid concealed handgun permit or who is exempt from obtaining such a permit under State law, who stores a handgun in a closed compartment or container within the person’s locked vehicle or in a locked container securely affixed to the person’s vehicle. A person may unlock the vehicle to enter or exit the vehicle, provided the handgun remains in the closed compartment at all times and the vehicle is locked immediately following the entrance or exit, as provided in NCGS 14-269.2(k). Any such vehicle, when locked, must be parked in accordance with applicable college policies and parking procedures.

The above handgun exception for individuals with a concealed carry permit, does not permit possessing or carrying a handgun on any other part of Rowan-Cabarrus properties. Possession or carrying a handgun without meeting the conditions of the above exception, is a felony under North Carolina criminal law.

Definitions

As used within this Policy and within North Carolina General Statute 14-269.2, the following terms have the meanings provided below.

• Campus (includes facilities): All property owned, leased, or contracted by the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
• Vehicle: As defined in the procedure, any self-contained motorized passenger vehicle that may be entered, exited, and locked, such as a car or truck; or any motorcycle, moped, or scooter, or other wheeled vehicles with attached, permanent or temporary, storage compartments.
• Weapon: Any object or substance possessed, carried, used, attempted to be used, or intended to inflict a wound, cause injury or incapacitate, including, but not limited to, all firearms, explosive agents, chemicals, air or canister propelled guns, knives, martial arts weapons, or any other “weapon”.

Actively sworn Law Enforcement officers may carry a weapon on campus. If they are out of uniform, they must display their agency badge either on the belt near the weapon or from a necklace worn around the neck.