Frequently Asked Questions

Georgia Senate Bill 319, also known as “Constitutional Carry,” became effective on April 12, 2022, and made changes in the law by removing the phrase ‘weapons carry license holder’ and replacing it with ‘lawful weapons carrier.’ This did away with the weapons carry license requirement and now simply requires armed individuals to be lawful weapons carriers.

However, the legislation did not make changes to the types of weapons allowed within a school safety zone. Handguns can legally be carried in a concealed manner by lawful weapons carriers within a school safety zone, with the exception of certain facilities such as athletic venues where intercollegiate sporting events are held; in student housing complexes; in faculty, staff and administrative offices; and in classrooms where dual-enrolled high school students are present.

• The full text of S.B. 319

Although a weapons carry license (WCL) is no longer required in Georgia, to be considered a ‘lawful weapons carrier,’ one must be eligible for a WCL. If a person were not eligible for a WCL, they would not be considered a ‘lawful weapons carrier.’

Senate Bill 319 (S.B. 319) states, in part:

‘Lawful weapons carrier’ means any person who is licensed or eligible for a [weapons carry] license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state.

• The full text of S.B. 319

The full text of Code Section 16-11-129, which lists the circumstances in which a person would not be eligible for a weapons carry license, thus not considered a ‘lawful weapons carrier.’

• The full text of Code Section 16-11-129

Under O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1, Carrying weapons within school safety zones, at school functions, or on school property, knives are still restricted to those with a blade less than two (2) inches in length.

If you have any questions that are not addressed, please email.

AskLegal@kennesaw.edu

Police Officers at Kennesaw State University are certified through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council as Peace Officers. They have the same law enforcement powers, including the power of arrest,  that any state, county, or city law enforcement has. 

KSU Police Officers have jurisdiction over any property owned or controlled by the Board of Regents and 500 yards beyond.  (OCGA 20-8-1)

Yes, please go to:

• oem.kennesaw.edu/emergency-notification

Please visit:

• Parking Information

Uniform Traffic Citations will be processed through the Cobb County Courts System. Please review the back of your Citation or call 770-528-2660.

You can also visit:

• cobbcounty.org/courts/state-court

Yes, please contact the Talon One Service Center  at 470-578-8663 for any questions regarding student housing.

KSU Student Life has a central Lost & Found for each campus. If something is turned into KSU PD outside of regular business hours, we will typically send it to Student Life Lost & Found the next time they’re open. More info here:

• kennesaw.edu/student-affairs/involvement/activities/

High value items (jewelry, identity documents, money, etc.) will be stored at KSU PD. You can reach us at 470-578-2756 to see if the PD has your item.

Yes, you are. You don’t have to pick up money on the ground or a cell phone left on a table, but if you do pick it up and don’t turn it in so the owner has a chance of recovering it,  you are in violation of O.C.G.A §16-8-6 “Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property”.

Yes. Keep contact information in your student account current and check your KSU email.

Property held for safekeeping will be returned to you by appointment and requires photo ID. Call 470-578-2756 to set up a date and time.

Your court case must be completed. You must provide a copy of the court’s final disposition. Your property will be returned to you by appointment and requires photo ID. Call 470-578-2756 to set up a date and time.  Any contraband, illegal drugs, illegal weapons, etc. will not be returned.

If someone else is picking up your property, a signed and notarized letter giving permission for that person to receive your property will be required. Appointment and photo ID required. Call 470-578-2756 to set up a date and time.

If you need to file a police report, here are the options for contacting the Department for assistance:

Telephone. If you are on campus, dial extension 6666. If you are off campus or cell phone, call 470-578-6666.

In Person (Kennesaw Campus): The Department of Public Safety and University Police on the Kennesaw Campus is located in the Public Safety Building at 351 Paulding Avenue, building 351 on the campus map, near the West Parking Deck.

In Person (Marietta Campus): The Department of Public Safety and University Police on the Marietta Campus is located at 920 Hornet Loop in Norton Hall, building R2 on the campus map.

You can text KSU Police at 770-356-3866 if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, or if a voice call might otherwise be dangerous or impossible.

You can use the LiveSafe app and report suspicious activity or report a crime.

Incident reports, to include arrests or citations, as well as accident reports, can be provided upon request. You can obtain these reports in person by visiting the Department of Public Safety and Police located at 624 Big Shanty Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144. You may also request these reports via email. Send an email to hpackar2@kennesaw.edu including your name, case number (if you have this), and your date of birth.

Please note that requests may take up to three business days to process. If you have any problems or have further questions, please contact our Records Department at 470-578-6396.

After an officer makes a report of criminal activity (misdemeanor and/or felony cases) that may require further investigation, it is assigned to a member of the Criminal Investigations Division for follow-up.

Detectives typically make contact with complainants within 3 to 5 business days. If you have not heard from a Detective in 3-5 business days you are encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 470-578-2043.  Try to have your case number handy when you call CID.

To find out if someone has been arrested by KSU Police, you must contact the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Center at 770-499-4600 or by visiting their website at cobbsheriff.org/inmates/adult-detention-center

Not all reports get investigated. CID reviews all reports made to determine the seriousness of the report filed and the solvability factors of a crime before deciding if it should be assigned for a follow-up investigation.

Kennesaw State University Public Safety will provide safety escorts. You may request an escort when you are in need of a safety escort. You can also use the SafeWalk feature on our LiveSafe app to ask a friend to watch you “walk” to your destination.

The Community Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement (C.O.R.E.) Unit provides education and information to any student group, faculty or staff who submits a request. These sessions may be in the form of a presentation, tabling event, or orientation event. The C.O.R.E. Unit is open to discussing any other idea for community outreach that you have in mind for your group.

Requests for presentation can be made by emailing police@kennesaw.edu

Persons arrested will be taken to Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Cobb County ADC is located at 1825 County Services Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30008

Yes. The Kennesaw State University campus is safe. However, this does not mean that crime does not occur here. Making wise decisions and using common sense greatly reduces the chances of becoming a victim of crime. Using moderation when consuming alcohol, securing/locking your valuables, and being aware of your surroundings are some simple ways to greatly reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. The Kennesaw State University Police Department also conducts R.A.D. classes which bases its foundations in education and awareness. For more information email RADClasses@Kennesaw.edu

Call the police and report it.  You can also Download the LiveSafe app by following the directions at livesafe.kennesaw.edu.  Any suspicious or concerning issues can be reported via the app. It is a secure, two-way risk reporting and communication tool at the touch of your fingertips.

We have a CORE (Community Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement) unit who collaborates with various departments on campus to help educate our students on crime prevention, LGBTIQ issues, homelessness awareness, and food insecurity. We work closely with the international student population as well as our special needs students, residence life and the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs committee. Our department offers Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) to our students. This is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. The course teaches men and women awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, and progresses to the basics of hands-on defense training in courses developed specifically for each. Please visit: kennesaw.edu/police/services/

“Campus Carry”

The University System of Georgia has issued guidelines on the new House Bill 280, commonly referred to as the "campus carry" law, which are available here: http://www.usg.edu/news/release/guidelines_for_the_implementation_of_house_bill_280

Under the new law, and with a few exceptions, properly licensed individuals may carry concealed handguns in public university classes if they are conducted in buildings and facilities not otherwise exempt from the new law. Licensed carriers may not carry handguns to classes in which high school students are enrolled. It is a misdemeanor for a licensed carrier to possess a weapon in an area that is exempt under the new law, and it will be the responsibility of those license-holders who choose to carry handguns on campus to know the law and understand where they can go on campus while carrying.

It is the responsibility of the student to adhere to USG Guidelines for the implementation of House Bill 280. Failure to abide by the law may also be a violation of the University's student code of conduct.

• Electroshock Weapons - House bill 792 was signed by Governor Deal on May 3, 2016, which added the following paragraph to O.C.G.A §16-11-127.1, permitting possession of certain electroshock devices:

   “(19) Any person who is 18 years of age or older or currently enrolled in classes on the campus in question and carrying, possessing, or having under such person’s control an electroshock weapon while in or on any building or real property owned by or leased to such public technical school, vocational school, college or university or other public institution of postsecondary education; provided, however, that, if such person makes use of such electroshock weapon, such use shall  be in defense of self or others. The exemption under this paragraph shall apply only to such person in regard to such electroshock weapon. As used in this paragraph, the term ‘electroshock weapon’ means any commercially available device that is powered by electrical charging units and designed exclusively to be capable of incapacitating a person by electrical charge, including, but not limited to, a stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code 26 Section § 16-11-106.”

• Pepper/OC Spray - Pepper/OC spray is not regulated under Georgia law and is allowed on campus.

The Office of Victim Services (OVS) has trained Victim Advocates who can provide confidential advocacy support and go over options with you. To speak with a Victim Advocate, please call 470-578-4257 or visit the website kennesaw.edu/safe-center/. 

A TPO is a legal document issued by the court to help victims obtain protection from persons abusing or stalking them. You must file the TPO in the county where the Respondent/Abuser resides. For more information on TPOs, please contact the Victim Advocates at 470-578-4257 or visit the website kennesaw.edu/safe-center/

The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program is a reimbursement program that offers financial assistance to victims of violent crimes. It can cover medical bills, loss of earnings, funeral expenses, mental health counseling, and crime scene clean-up. Victim advocates are available to assist with the applications.