Weapons on Campus

I. PURPOSE

New York Medical College (NYMC) is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for the university community and its guests. In support of this commitment, this policy sets forth rules governing the possession of weapons and simulated weapons in and around premises owned or controlled by NYMC and at NYMC sponsored events in other locations.

II. SCOPE

This policy applies to any person on NYMC property, in an NYMC facility, or at an NYMC-sponsored activity or event, including any participant or attendee at NYMC-sponsored events.

III. POLICY

New York Medical College strictly prohibits the use or possession of any Weapon or Simulated Weapon by any person (i) in and/or around any and all NYMC facilities (whether academic, residential, or other) that are owned, leased, or controlled by NYMC, regardless of whether the bearer or possessor is licensed to carry that Weapon, and (ii) at any NYMC-sponsored activity, whether in an NYMC facility or a non-NYMC facility, including any participant or attendee an NYMC-sponsored events.

This prohibition does not apply to (i) sworn federal, state or local law enforcement officers who are legally authorized to carry firearms in the jurisdiction and are in NYMC facilities or events in the course of their official law enforcement duties and/or at the request of NYMC; (ii) employees of the NYMC Department of Public Safety authorized by the Director of Public Safety to carry a Weapon; or (iii) Simulated Weapons used by participants in an authorized NYMC Center for Disaster Medicine training program. Law enforcement officers bringing Weapons to NYMC premises must be clearly identified as on duty law enforcement. All firearms must be secured, at all times, in a holster, unless being used for a lawful purpose.

IV. DEFINITIONS

1. Simulated Weapons refers to facsimiles of any category of weapon described below that resemble the actual weapon but are not capable of use as a weapon.
2. Weapons include instruments used to inflict physical harm, that are intended to inflict harm, or that could reasonably cause fear of infliction of harm, and any item that may be deemed weapons under applicable law, including but not limited to: a pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, firearm, stun gun, BB or pellet gun, taser, electric dart gun, and other instrument that launches a projectile by pressure resulting from combustion of propellant material, including a weapon related to or using air, sound, flare, hunting, or springs; bombs, grenades, mines, explosives, or incendiary devices (which can include “ignition devices” and aerosols); and blades, daggers, stilettos, swords, switchblade knives, and gravity knives; and including parts, components, spare parts, or ammunition relating to the above. A disarmed weapon is a Weapon unless it is a Simulated Weapon. Weapons do not include tools provided to an employee that are being used as intended in the course of employment.

VI. EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy is effective immediately.

VII. POLICY MANAGEMENT

Responsible Executive: Director of Public Safety
Responsible Office: Office of Public Safety