Gun Control & RKBA
In reply to the discussion: A recent gun nut talking point. [View all]branford
(4,462 posts)If your institution permits guns on campus, whether due to state law or individual campus policy, and professors have not been delegated the express discretion to prohibit them in their individual classrooms, so long as students obey the institution's rules concerning such firearms (e.g., concealed carry, etc.), you may not prohibit them from your classroom or otherwise sanction such students.
Any attempt to do so would subject you to serious discipline up to and including termination, and the institution to significant civil liability for various causes of action, potentially ranging from breach of contract to common law and statutory civil rights claims. Tenure would not protect you, since breaching an institution's explicit policies, no less state law, would be justified discipline for cause. Hating or fearing guns would not be a viable, legally-recognized defense. Refusing to teach your assigned classes due to a campus firearms policy or because a student carried a firearm in accordance with institution rules in your classroom would similarly subject to you disciple without any tenure protection.
If you believe a student is a danger to himself or others, you are free to complain to the university, but you will need to make good-faith individualized showing, and the lawful ownership of a legal and approved firearm (whether inside of your classroom or not) alone would most certainly not provide such a basis. Any clearly unsubstantiated, retaliatory or politically motivated complaint could, however, subject you to discipline and personal civil liability, including defamation and privacy claims.
If firearms become permitted where you teach, I earnestly suggest you seek experienced legal counsel before you do or say anything foolish, intimidating or unlawful to any students or the administration, and least if you wish to remain a professor and not spend even more on legal fees defending lawsuits and satisfying judgments in favor of gun owners. Do not presume your beliefs concerning firearms will necessarily trump institution policy or state law.
Edit: I wanted to add that any personal attempts to ascertain whether students are carrying weapons, such as involuntarily touching or frisking them or searching their belongings, or attempts to physically prevent them from entering the classroom, will not only almost certainly subject you to discipline and civil liability, but could also expose you to criminal charges. Students would also not be required to answer any personal questions concerning firearms ownership or possession, and could not be subjected to retaliation from you for noncompliance.