Weapons on Campus Policy

Effective Date:	November 4, 1996
Last Revised Date:	May 13, 2026
Applies To:	Classified Staff, Appointed Personnel, University Staff, Students
Responsible Unit(s):	UA Police Department
Status:	Active

Purpose and Summary

The University of Arizona (University) is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for the University Community. This Policy complies with the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) Policy 5-303 and 5-308, which generally prohibit the use, possession, display, or storage of any weapons, including all firearms, explosive material or device, or fireworks on university property or events, except as provided in A.R.S. section 12-781.

Scope

This Policy applies to the University Community on any University Property or at a University-Sponsored or University-Sanctioned/Approved Activity.

Definitions

Dangerous Instrument, as defined in ABOR Policy 5-308, means anything that, under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used, or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.

Explosive Material or Device means dynamite, nitroglycerin, black powder, or other similar explosive material or bomb including plastic explosives; or any breakable container that contains a flammable liquid with a flash point of 150°F or less and that has a wick or similar device capable of being ignited.

Fireworks means any fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers, rockets, and any propellant-activated device whose intended purpose is primarily for illumination.

Personal Safety Devices means (1) commercially available electroshock devices, including conducted electrical weapons designed to protect personal safety from physical attacks by other people; (2) commercially available chemical repellants designed to protect personal safety from physical attacks by other people (chemical repellants labeled “for police use only” or “for law enforcement use only” may not be possessed by the general public); (3) blades less than 5 inches long; (4) tactical pens; (5) hi-intensity tactical flashlight or strobe devices; (6) personal alarms, including hi-volume, audible, alert/alarm devices (may include visual and audio effects); and (7) commercially available keyring defensive tools, with the exception of brass knuckles. Personal Safety Devices do not include devices that shoot a projectile, such as a Byrna or a civilian model TASER that shoots electrodes.

University Assets means items of tangible or intangible property owned by, leased to, licensed to, or in the possession of the University. University Assets also include items which rightfully should be a University Asset but were diverted due to misuse. Examples of University Assets include but are not limited to, money, paid employee time, proprietary information, intellectual property (such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights), land, buildings, improvements, equipment, vehicles, software, supplies, tools, inventory, library volumes, art objects, and museum pieces.

University Community means, for the purpose of this policy, any of the following individuals: students; employees; third parties, including, but not limited to, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and designated campus colleagues (DCCs); or members of the public.

University Property means all land, buildings, and other facilities owned, operated, leased, or controlled by the University.

University-Sponsored or University Sanctioned/Approved Activity means any activity on or off University Property which is initiated, aided, authorized, or supervised by the University.

Weapon means any object or substance designed to (or which could be reasonably expected to) inflict a wound, cause injury, incapacitate, or cause death including without limitation all firearms (loaded and unloaded, simulated and real), devices designed to expel a projectile (such as, but not limited to, BB guns, gel blasters, air guns, paint ball guns, pellet guns, Byrna, and potato guns), swords, knives with blades five inches or longer, martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, and chemical repellents labeled for police or law enforcement use only. Personal Safety Devices are not included in this definition.

Policy

The use, possession, display, or storage of any Weapon, including all firearms, Dangerous Instrument, Explosive Material or Device, torch, device with open flames or Fireworks, bomb-making materials, or potentially dangerous chemicals, on University Property or at a University-Sponsored or University-Sanctioned/Approved Activity is prohibited, except as provided in: (1) A.R.S. section 12-781, (2) ABOR Policy 5-308(F)(24)(c), or (3) except as otherwise set out in this Policy.

If an incident involves an immediate threat to life or property, members of the University Community are to call 911.

To report violations or suspected violations of this Policy, members of the University Community should call UAPD at 520-621-8273.

Violations
1. A.R.S. section 13-2911 prohibits the interference with or disruption of an educational institution, which includes non-compliance with or violations of ABOR Policies 5-303 and 5-308. Individuals who violate these policies may be subject to arrest under applicable law.
2. Violations of this Policy by the University Community will be considered misconduct that is subject to disciplinary action in accordance with ABOR Policies 5-303 and 5-308 and any other applicable policies or guidelines.
3. Violations of this Policy by members of the public may result in an exclusionary order per the University's Exclusionary Order Policy from University Property or a University-Sponsored or University-Sanctioned/Approved Activity and/or confiscation of a Weapon, Dangerous Instrument, Explosive Material or Device, torch, device with open flames or Fireworks, bomb-making materials, or potentially dangerous chemicals.
  1. Confiscated Weapons or Dangerous Instruments may be sold, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with A.R.S. section 12-945(B), A.R.S. section 13-3105, A.R.S. section 13-3108(F), and A.R.S. section 17-240.
  2. All seizures of prohibited items will be carried out within current policies regarding the processing of evidence.
Enforcement
1. The University’s Chief Safety Officer, or an officer or employee designated by the Chief Safety Officer to maintain order, may order a person to leave University Property or a University-Sponsored or University-Sanctioned/Approved Activity if the Chief Safety Officer or their designee believes that the person is committing any act, or is acting with the purpose of committing any act, that disrupts a University-Sponsored or University-Sanctioned/Approved Activity or the lawful use of University Property and University Assets by others or is in violation of this Policy.
Exceptions
Exceptions to this Policy include:
1. As provided in A.R.S. section 12-781 Transportation or storage of firearms; motor vehicles; applicability.
2. The possession or use of Personal Safety Devices.
3. Peace officers certified by the State of Arizona and currently employed by an Arizona law enforcement agency performing official duties.
4. Honorably retired peace officers, as defined by A.R.S. section 13-3112(T), who may or may not be Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) credentialed or who are currently employed by a federal law enforcement agency as a federally sworn law enforcement officer.
5. Any law enforcement officer working in their law enforcement capacity.
6. Devices and materials not defined as Weapons in this Policy that are used for University purposes related to operations or research.
7. Weapons used in authorized University programs for which prior written approval was obtained from all of the following: the Dean or Department Head, Provost, and University Chief of Police or the Chief of Police’s authorized designee.
8. Any other activity that was given prior written approval by the University Chief of Police and authorized University representative.
Request for Exceptions
1. The process to request an exception is outlined in the Procedure to Request an Exception for Weapons on Campus.