Weapons Policy

Limestone University reference and complies with South Carolina Section 16-23-420, which prohibits “carrying or displaying firearms in public buildings or areas adjacent thereto.”

Limestone University enforces a “no weapons policy” on all of its campuses. The use, possession, or distribution on campus of firearms, ammunition or shell-casings, air guns, explosives, fireworks, knives, or other weapons or facsimile thereof by an employee is strictly prohibited. Included in this weapons ban, concealed or otherwise, are all campus buildings, parking lots, and grounds. The carrying of weapons and firearms is also prohibited in Limestone University vehicles at any time and in personal vehicles immediately before, during, or immediately after work. No weapon or firearm shall be kept in a locker, lunch box, toolbox, briefcase, purse, or other personal property.

Limestone University, on behalf of itself and its students, reserves the right to inspect an employee’s personal property, including but not limited to, toolboxes, packages, briefcases, purses, clothing, and vehicles based upon a suspicion that this policy has been or is being violated. Unless time is of the essence, a request will be made to the Limestone University Department of Campus Security to carry out and support such inspection. Refusal to consent or to cooperate in the search of personal property by an employee may be grounds for discipline, up to and including discharge from employment.

The only exceptions to this policy are those campus security officers who are duly authorized by Limestone University and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to carry a weapon.

Weapon Definition:

The term “weapon” means any device, instrument, or substance that is designed to, or reasonably could be expected to, inflict a wound, incapacitate, or cause serious bodily injury or death, including, but not limited to, firearms (loaded and unloaded, real and replica and/or toy), ammunition, electronic control devices (such as Tasers and stun guns), devices designed to discharge an object (such as bb guns, air guns, pellet guns, potato guns, and slingshots), explosives, dangerous chemicals (such as tear gas), martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, artificial knuckles, nightsticks, blackjacks, daggers, swords, and knives (pocket or fixed blade) with a blade longer than three (3) inches. The term “weapon” does not include chemical repellents available over-the-counter for self-defense; instruments used solely for personal hygiene, preparation of food, maintenance, University-related instruction, or University employment-related duties. 

Limestone University references and complies with South Carolina Section (16-23-420), with minor exceptions.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to possess a firearm of any kind on any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, other post-secondary institution, or in any publicly owned building, without the express permission of the authorities in charge of the premises or property. The provisions of this subsection related to any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary institution, do not apply to a person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 when the weapon remains inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. 

(B) It is unlawful for a person to enter the premises or property described in subsection (A) and to display, brandish, or threaten others with a firearm. 

(C) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(D) This section does not apply to a guard, law enforcement officer, or member of the armed forces, or student of military science. A resident in a dwelling provided by Limestone University whose presence with a weapon in or around a particular building is authorized by the Limestone University Security chief is also exempt from the provisions of this section. 

(E) For purposes of this section, the terms "premises" and "property" do not include state or locally owned or maintained roads, streets, or rights-of-way of them, running through or adjacent to premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary institution, which are open full time to public vehicular traffic. 

(F) This section does not apply to a person who is authorized to carry concealed weapons pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31 of Title 23 when upon any premises, property, or building that is part of an interstate highway rest area facility. 

Limestone University enforces a “No Weapons Policy” on all of its campuses both owned and controlled by Limestone University. The use, possession, distribution of, firearms, ammunition, and other weapons described above on Limestone University property is strictly prohibited. Included in this weapons ban, concealed or otherwise, are all University owned and leased buildings, parking lots and grounds. The carrying of weapons and firearms is also prohibited in Limestone University owned vehicles and personal vehicles parked on the University property at any time. No weapon or firearm shall be kept in a locker, lunch box, toolbox, briefcase, purse, or other personal property while on the Limestone University campus property.

Exceptions to this policy are certified law enforcement officers and Campus Security Officers who are duly authorized by Limestone University and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to carry a weapon on University controlled property or in connection with a University affiliated activity. Other persons who are legally authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 (South Carolina code, CWP), when the weapon remains inside an attended or unattended locked motor vehicle and is secured per this chapter, this also must be authorized in writing by the Chief of Security or his/her designee. This exception only applies to Limestone University Faculty, Staff and Commuter Students who travel roadways to and from Limestone property and are legally authorized as stated above (this exception does NOT apply to residential students). No other weapons of any kind including, rifles, shotguns, BB guns, etc. may be left or stored in a vehicle or other location on school property which includes all properties controlled and operated by Limestone University campus.

Right to inspect 

Limestone University, on behalf of itself and its students, reserve the right to inspect all employee's, including contract employees, and all students personal property, including but not limited to, toolboxes, packages, briefcases, purses, clothing, lockers and vehicles based upon a suspicion that this policy has been or is being violated. Unless time is of the essence, a request will be made to the Limestone University Department of Campus security to carry out and support such inspection. Refusal to consent or to cooperate in the search of personal property by an employee or student may be grounds for discipline, up to and including discharge from employment or dismissal from the University. 

All employees and students are expected to know and abide by this weapons policy. Employees and students who fail or refuse to comply with this policy will be subject to penalties that may include permanent dismissal from the University as well as face potential criminal charges (Arrest) per SC 16-23-420 (Possession of firearm on school property/concealed weapons).