Faculty Up in Arms About Concealed Carry

The campus has hosted an ongoing discussion on gun rights following a Colorado Supreme Court ruling last spring that held that CU regents cannot set gun policies contrary to the state’s 2003 concealed-carry law.

The ruling means that anyone over the age of 21 who holds a valid concealed-carry permit can bring a concealed weapon into a class, laboratory or CU administrative building as long as the weapon remains concealed. A concealed-carry permit does not authorize the holder to display a weapon to intimidate others.

“We are complying with the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling, and trying at the same time to balance the rights of concealed-carry permit holders and the concerns of our faculty, staff and students,” says Provost Russ Moore.

In two town hall meetings, administrators have reinforced to  faculty, staff and students that CU had exhausted its legal options and told faculty they cannot cancel classes for fear a student might possess a concealed weapon. They also have advised students what to do if they see a student carrying a weapon on campus.

CU-Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano recommended that those who oppose the policy seek a legislative remedy. Some faculty members met with Rep. Claire Levy (D-Boulder) to voice support for such a measure, and Levy later met with CU system officials to hear their input on a possible bill. However, some students with permits have expressed support for the ruling and feel they have been wrongly marginalized.

“I am here to protect,” MBA student Steve Ojala said at a town hall meeting. “I’m not a criminal. I don’t have a background record. But I feel like a criminal.”