51ΑΤΖζ

The prohibits a person from carrying, possessing, or using any dangerous weapon on university lands or in university buildings or facilities, unless it is for law enforcement purposes, the person receives written approval of the Chancellor, or is otherwise exempted under permits police to confiscate and remove dangerous weapons from university lands.Μύ

On July 8, 2011, Governor Walker signed into law. Effective November 1, 2011, it is lawful in the State of Wisconsin for licensed individuals to be armed with a concealed weapon, or to carry particular weapons in an open or concealed manner, as long as there is no indication of a criminal or malicious intent. This law provides certain exemptions for schools and universities, however, that are implemented further in this policy.Μύ

51ΑΤΖζ is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment and to ensuring that it acts to the extent possible to shield its students and employees from harm, including from firearms and other dangerous weapons (and/or discharge thereof) on university property and in connection with university activities and events. 

It is the intent of 51ΑΤΖζ and purpose of this policy to prohibit firearms and dangerous weapons in university buildings and on university grounds, and in connection with university activities and events, to the maximum extent required and/or permissible under the law. This policy provides additional details about implementation of the applicable laws at 51ΑΤΖζ. 

Concealed Carry Weapon or CCW is a weapon that a Licensee may carry in a concealed fashion, except as prohibited in certain locations as detailed in this policy. CCWs are: a handgun, electric weapon defined in , or a billy club. ()

Dangerous Weapon means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm; any ligature or other instrumentality used on the throat, neck, nose or mouth of another person to impede, partially or completely, breathing or circulation of blood; any electric weapon as defined in ; or any other device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm. ()Μύ

Firearm means a weapon that acts by force of gunpowder. ()Μύ

Licensee means an individual holding a valid license to carry a concealed carry weapon or CCW issued in Wisconsin, or an individual who is not a resident of Wisconsin, who is 21 years or over and who holds a valid license to carry a concealed weapon in another state. ()Μύ

School means a public school, parochial or private school, or tribal school, as defined in , which provides an educational program for one or more grades between grades 1 and 12 which is commonly known as elementary school, middle school, junior high school, senior high school, or high school. (, )

Special event means an event that is open to the public, is for a duration of not more than 3 weeks, and either has designated entrances to or from the event that are locked when the event is closed or requires admission. ()Μύ

A. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons in 51ΑΤΖζ Buildings

Individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms and dangerous weapons into buildings or portions of buildings that are owned, occupied, or controlled by 51ΑΤΖζ. 51ΑΤΖζ shall place signs in prominent places near all of the entrances to 51ΑΤΖζ buildings notifying the 51ΑΤΖζ community and visitors of this ban. This ban on firearms and dangerous weapons inside 51ΑΤΖζ buildings applies equally to Licensees. 

This ban does not apply to firearms or dangerous weapons carried solely within motor vehicles that might be parked in 51ΑΤΖζ parking facilities except as provided in section B of this Policy.

B. No Firearms within 1000 Feet of Schools

Individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms, except for a handgun carried in a concealed manner by a Licensee, outside of 51ΑΤΖζ buildings, on any portion of 51ΑΤΖζ buildings or grounds that falls within 1,000 feet of any school (defined above) (e.g. Hartford Elementary School), including within vehicles parked in 51ΑΤΖζ parking facilities within this zone. These areas are known as β€œGun-Free School Zones.” Maps showing the Gun-Free School Zone surrounding Hartford Elementary School andΒ other schools nearby 51ΑΤΖζ buildings are attached as Appendix A.Μύ

C. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons by Employees

Employees of 51ΑΤΖζ, including student employees, are prohibited from carrying and discharging firearms or other dangerous weapons while engaged in any employment activity on behalf of 51ΑΤΖζ, whether on or off campus. 

This ban does not apply to firearms or other dangerous weapons carried solely in the employee’s own motor vehicle. Note, however, that the gun-free school zone does not permit firearms in vehicles on school grounds. 

D. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons in Residence Halls

No individual may possess firearms or any other dangerous weapons in the residence halls. 

E. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons in 51ΑΤΖζ Vehicles

No individual may possess firearms or any other dangerous weapons in 51ΑΤΖζ owned or operated vehicles, including in housing, parking, and other shuttles.

F. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons at 51ΑΤΖζ Special Events

No individual may possess firearms or any other dangerous weapons at 51ΑΤΖζ special events (see definition above), except in vehicles driven or parked in a parking facility in connection with the event. 51ΑΤΖζ may place signs in prominent places at 51ΑΤΖζ events, depending on scope and size of the event, notifying the campus community of this ban.Μύ

G. Exemptions to Prohibited Behavior

The above bans on firearms, (or the discharge of firearms), and dangerous weapons do not apply to sworn law enforcement personnel. In addition, from time to time, the Chancellor may grant exemptions under unique, limited circumstances (e.g., if an unloaded firearm is required as part of an artistic performance or if a firearm or weapon is required in a laboratory by a research project). Persons seeking such an exemption should first consult with the 51ΑΤΖζ Police Chief, who shall refer the request for an exemption along with the 51ΑΤΖζ Police Chief’s recommendation to the Chancellor. Such an exemption must be obtained from the Chancellor in writing, in advance. 

Any person who observes an individual in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon should contact the 51ΑΤΖζ Police Department at 414.229.4627 or 911. 

Individuals in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon may be issued citations by the 51ΑΤΖζ Police Department pursuant to and/or subject to arrest for relevant state statue(s).Μύ

51ΑΤΖζ students found in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon may be subject to the Student Non-Academic Misconduct procedures which could result in sanctions including but not limited to cancelation of university housing contract, suspension, or expulsion.Μύ

51ΑΤΖζ employees may be subject to disciplinary procedures.  

• Appendix A - Location of Gun-Free School Zones Impacting 51ΑΤΖζ Properties

November 1, 2011

Original

December 1, 2020

Revised

October 1, 2025

Reviewed

January 28, 2026

Appendix a - Editorially revised for accessibility