Violence Prevention at Virginia Tech

As we mourn today's loss of 32 innocent lives on the Virginia Tech campus, and mourn as well the expected loss of our constitutional rights, as will surely come as night follows day, we might pause to ask a number of questions:

Question 1: Why didn't a student, confronted with a murderer on a rampage, shoot back?

Answer: from Virginia Tech's Student Code of Conduct, Section II:

10. Fireworks/Explosives/Hazardous Chemicals/Weapons Unauthorized possession or use of fireworks, explosives, or weapons is prohibited. Hazardous chemicals that could pose a health risk are also prohibited from the campus, including chemicals that, when combined with other substances, could be hazardous or present a danger to others.

Unauthorized possession, storage (in vehicles on campus as well as in the residence halls), or control of firearms and weapons on university property is prohibited. (NOTE: Organizational weapons of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, approved by the commandant, are not prohibited by this policy.) Firearms are defined as any gun, rifle, pistol, or handgun designed to fire bullets, BBs, pellets, or shots including paint balls), regardless of the propellant used. Other weapons are defined as any instrument of combat or any object not designed as an instrument of combat but carried for the purpose of inflicting or threatening bodily injury. Examples include (but are not limited to) knives with fixed blades or pocketknives with blades longer than four inches, razors, metal knuckles, blackjacks, hatchets, bows and arrows, nun chahkas, foils, or any explosive or incendiary device. Possession of realistic replicas of weapons on campus is prohibited.

Students who store weapons in residence hall rooms, who brandish weapons, or who use a weapon in a reckless manner may face disciplinary action that may include suspension or dismissal from the university.

Refer to Section V.W. for additional information about Weapons. Section V.W. - Weapons: Unauthorized possession, storage, or control of firearms and weapons on university property is prohibited, including storing weapons in vehicles on campus as well as in the residence halls. (Note: organizational weapons of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, approved by the commandant, are not prohibited by this policy.)

Firearms are defined as any gun, rifle, pistol, or handgun designed to fire bullets, BBs, pellets, or shots (including paint balls), regardless of the propellant used. Other weapons are defined as any instrument of combat or any object not designed as an instrument of combat but carried for the purpose of inflicting or threatening bodily injury. Examples include but are not limited to knives with fixed blades or pocket knives with blades longer than 4 inches, razors, metal knuckles, blackjacks, hatchets, bows and arrows, nun chukkas, foils, or any explosive or incendiary device. Possession of realistic replicas of weapons on campus is prohibited. Students who store weapons in residence hall rooms, who brandish weapons, or who use a weapon in a reckless manner may face disciplinary action, which may include suspension or dismissal from the university.

Exceptions to possessing weapons may be made in the case of university functions or activities and for educational exhibitions or displays. Such exceptions will be subject to authorization by the Virginia Tech Police. This policy does not prohibit the possession of firearms by persons, such as law enforcement officers, who are authorized by law to do so in the performance of their duties. A weapons storage program is available. Interested persons should contact the Virginia Tech Police (Sterrett Facilities Complex, 231-6411.

Question 2: Why didn't an instructor at Virginia Tech, faced with a murderer on a rampage, shoot back?

Answer 2: From the Faculty Handbook, Section 2:

2.7.3 Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Virginia Tech will not tolerate acts of violence or hostility committed by or against employees, students, contractual workers, volunteers, visitors, or other third parties on university owned, controlled, or leased properties, or while conducting university business at another location.

The university’s employees, students, and volunteers, or any visitor or other third party attending a sporting, entertainment, or educational event, or visiting an academic or administrative office building or residence hall, are further prohibited from carrying, maintaining, or storing a firearm or weapon on any university facility, even if the owner has a valid permit, when it is not required by the individual’s job, or in accordance with the relevant University Student Life Policies.

Question 3: But surely, wouldn't someone have armed himself anyway? What would the penalty be?

Answer 3: From VIRGINIA TECH CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK:

V. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE

F. Disciplinary Action

6. Unacceptable Standards of Conduct (Offenses)

c) Group III Offenses: These offenses include acts and behavior of such a serious nature that a first occurrence normally warrants removal. Group III offenses include, but are not limited to:

10. Unauthorized possession or use of firearms, dangerous weapons or explosives.

It seems fairly obvious to me that all this official ink served no purpose today except to guarantee that the victims would be disarmed in the face of the enemy.

Other Links:

Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy

Workplace Violence