Concealed Firearms Carry on Campus

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.

• 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,’ can be found  here.

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.

Only lawful weapons carriers may carry handguns on campus, and those handguns may only be carried in a concealed fashion.

The new law applies generally to all property and facilities owned by or leased to the university.  There are exceptions in the law that exclude lawful weapons carriers from carrying in 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.  There are other exceptions as well and the lawful weapons carrier is responsible for assuring that concealed weapons are only carried in areas or facilities that are not exempt from the new law. 

Yes, the KSU Center is owned/leased by the university and is covered by the new law.

On the Kennesaw Campus, the Convocation Center, the Bailey Park and Stillwell Stadium, the Fifth/Third Bank Stadium, the Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center, and both the Owl’s Nest and the Perch/Field No. 3 at the Sports and Recreation Park are all facilities that are used for intercollegiate sporting events and are therefore always exempt from the new law, even when athletic events are not being conducted.    

On the Marietta Campus, the Recreation & Wellness Center, the baseball field and the recreation fields all host intercollegiate sporting events and are thus exempt at all times.

Yes, the new law does not exempt such facilities unless another exception to the law applies.  If a class is being conducted in one of those facilities and dual-enrolled high school students are enrolled in the class, then the room in which the class is being taught is exempt (but only when the particular class is in session). 

No, but the burden will be on the lawful weapons carrier to assure that no part of the itinerary involves stops at locations where handguns are not permitted.  Under no circumstances may lawful weapons carriers leave unattended handguns in university owned or hired vehicles used to transport individuals on field trips or similar outings.

Contact KSU Police either by telephone at (470) 578-6666 or by using the LiveSafe app.

The Office of the Registrar will provide information to faculty and students that will allow lawful weapons carriers to check whether high school students are enrolled in a particular class.  Please submit a request to:  registrar@kennesaw.edu  to receive information related to the concealed carry of firearms on campus. Of course, the burden is on the lawful weapons carrier to check with the Office of the Registrar, particularly during drop/add season, to assure that they have the most up to date information on class composition. 

The concealed carry law prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons in faculty, staff and administrative offices.  The term “office” is not defined in the law, so the plain meaning of the term is used.  Offices are generally considered private work spaces with limited or exclusive access.  The term does not include typically public areas such as reception areas, hallways and lobbies.  The existence of a doorway into a common area does not convert that area into an office; nor does locking a door to an otherwise public common area convert it to a private office space.  If you have a question about a particular office or public space, please let us know by contacting asklegal@kennesaw.edu.

No, the law specifically provides that offices and office suites occupied by faculty are among the areas where even lawful weapons carriers may not carry handguns. Nor may guns be stored in such offices.

No. The USG guidance specifically provides that institutions will not provide gun storage facilities on campus.  Keep in mind that the new law only changes the ability of lawful weapons carriers to CARRY concealed handguns on campus.  The new law and USG guidance does not permit the unattended storage of handguns anywhere, other than in the trunks of personal vehicles.  So, lawful weapons carriers must either have their handguns concealed on their person while in non-exempt areas or they must properly store their handguns in their vehicle or in an off-campus storage facility.

No, the law grants lawful weapons carriers the ability to carry concealed handguns in classrooms (unless high school students are present) and USG guidance provides that faculty members may not ask lawful weapons carriers to reveal that they are carrying concealed handguns or otherwise discourage them from doing what the law permits them to do. 

The USG guidance specifically provides that faculty may include a link to the USG guidance found at  usg.edu/weaponscarry/guidance. 

No. Lawful weapons carriers (faculty and students) should use the resources provided by the Registrar to determine whether high school students are enrolled in a particular class.  This is important because whether high school students are enrolled can change on a daily basis, especially during the drop/add period.  The most up-to-date information will be available on the Registrar’s website.

No, the law only permits “concealed” carry, which means that the casual observer should not be able to tell whether a lawful weapons carrier is carrying a handgun.

Any suspected violation of the law should be reported to KSU Police.

If you can’t find answers to your questions on the KSU Police website, please direct your questions to asklegal@kennesaw.edu.

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.

• 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,’ can be found  here.

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.