Radford University’s self-defense ban goes into effect even as VCU sees huge increase in crime against students

Last week’s Virginia Register contained the final publication of Radford University’s campus weapons ban. This may seem rather sudden to those familiar with the rather long and complex ‘notice and comment’ process by which most regulations are promulgated in Virginia.  After all, the regulation was only first voted on by the Radford University Board of Visitors on Friday September 14th.

However, thanks to the ill-advised fast-track regulatory power granted to state-operated colleges and universities by § 2.2-4002(A)(6), the regulation becomes effective immediately upon publication without any public notice or comment period as would normally be the case with regulatory rulemaking.

It is with great sadness that I noted the final regulation bans not only firearms but also common self-defense products often carried by female students such as stun guns. Radford seems incredibly determined to eliminate any possible way that a student could possibly defend herself.

The publication of this regulation and the associated disarming of Radford’s adult students ironically comes on the heels of a massive crime spree against students at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Back on October 19th, VCDL ran the following in their VA-ALERT:

The violent crime spree at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond continues. There were THREE more robberies of students Tuesday night alone! As you recall, VCU had a town hall meeting on safety after another group of SIX robberies a few weeks ago. While adding more officers and hiring some unarmed security guards is supposed to help the crime problem, it isn’t a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination. Tuesday night shows the futility *and danger* of depending on someone else for your own defense.

BTW, VCU already has more police officers than any other Virginia university …

At the crime town hall meeting, the VCU Chief of Police seemed puzzled by the fact that criminals were coming from long distances to victimize VCU students. I wasn’t surprised. Violent criminals love a safe working environment and VCU’s unarmed students, faculty, and staff provide just that!

As a former Radford student, it saddens me to see yet another of Virginia’s fine public universities fall prey to illogical policymaking based upon emotion rather than logic.

As the students at VCU have discovered, they are the ones that pay the price of making colleges and universities a haven for criminals while administrators hold town hall meetings and helplessly wring their hands.

About John Pierce

Monachus Lex is written by Virginia attorney John Pierce. John is a life-long gun rights advocate, an NRA certified instructor and co-founder of the nationwide gun rights group OpenCarry.org.

He has an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems, an MBA from George Mason University and is a 2012 Honors Graduate of Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, MN.

Professionally, John is a member of the American Bar Association Second Amendment Civil Rights Litigation Subcommittee and his writings have been published by the ABA Civil Rights Litigation Committee and the ABA Minority Trial Lawyer Committee.

In addition, his open carry advocacy has been featured on Nightline and The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.
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4 Responses to Radford University’s self-defense ban goes into effect even as VCU sees huge increase in crime against students

  1. Bruce Wood says:

    Time to start carrying a tennis racket – strung with concertina wire.

  2. johnblacken says:

    I just carry anyway. Who’s to know. Screw ’em.

    I carry a gun because I can’t carry a whole cop.

  3. Firepwr2 says:

    My granddaughters (ages 14 and 18) are VERY proficient with firearms, and they will NEVER be without the means to defend themselves, regardless of the insane regulations of any institution in which they find themselves…

  4. Rsenter says:

    Firepwr2, you demonstrate a common ignorance that firearm proficiency is the name of the game. How are your grand-daughters with critical decision making, sound decision under extreme duress? Do they have an appreciation for law surrounding firearms and self defense? Most importantly, how mature will they be in college in making decisions that will keep them from placing themselves in shady positions? As you know, neither of them are going to be packing heat until they’re 21. How have you prepared them to defend themselves otherwise?

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