Purpose

To provide safety and security for all members of the University community; to ensure compliance with applicable legislation; and to provide specific guidance and direction on the possession, use and storage of Weapons while on property under care, control, ownership or direction of the University or at University events.

Scope

Members of the University community, including students, employees and visitors while on any property under the care, control, ownership and direction of the University.

Definitions

Ammunition — Any material capable of being projected by a Weapon and which makes the Weapon operational.

Athlete — A student enrolled at the University and participating in an organized competitive sport sanctioned by the University; or a person who is permitted to use University facilities for the purpose of training in accordance with Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic agreements with the University.

Club or Society — A club or society ratified by any of the University's student unions, in accordance with all applicable bylaws and policies.

Controlled Goods — See Controlled Goods policy.

Possession — Includes but not limited to the storage of a Weapon on any property owned, leased or controlled by the University; or a Weapon carried by an individual while on any property owned, leased, or controlled by the University.

Production Manager — Refers to the person responsible for producing a specific theatrical or film-making event. This is a functional description not a position title.

Prop Weapon — Any item that resembles a real weapon but is not a real weapon.

University — Memorial University of Newfoundland.

University Property — Property under the care, control, ownership or direction of the University.

Weapon — As per the Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1985, c.C-46, "anything used, designed to be used or intended for use a) in causing death or injury to any person, or b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person".

Policy

1.0 Restrictions

The University restricts the presence and use of Weapons, Prop Weapons and Ammunition on all University Property.

Ammunition may not be kept on any University Property.

Expressed written permission is required for the restrictions noted below. The Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate is responsible for maintaining the records associated with these written approvals.   All other Weapons, Prop Weapons and Ammunition are prohibited.

1.1 Frank Zahn High Performance Marksmanship and Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic (CSCA) Training Facility

The presence of firearms, air guns and ammunition at the Frank Zahn High Performance Marksmanship and CSCA Training Facility, a provincial training center and research facility for high performance target shooters and Athletes which is located on the St. John’s campus, is in accordance with the University’s Firearms Business Licence, as administered by the Canadian Firearms Program of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

1.2 Research and Academic purposes

Should Weapons become the subject of or used in research or in the teaching and learning of any course, other than that mentioned in 1.3, the Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate should be notified in advance of such activity.

For research involving Controlled Goods, refer to the Controlled Goods Policy.

1.3 Use of Weapons in Theatrical Productions

The Division of Fine Arts at Grenfell Campus, the Department of English at the St. John’s campus and the School of Music at the St. John’s campus may use Weapons and Prop Weapons for staging theatrical and film-making productions.

The Production Manager shall approve and arrange all theatrical Weapons and Prop Weapons purchases and/or loans.  The Production Manager shall maintain an up-to-date inventory of Weapons and Prop Weapons borrowed, loaned and purchased, and submit a copy to the Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate when changes are made or at least annually.

The Production Manager must approve the use of any Weapons in productions and is responsible for ensuring that no person may use a Weapon or Prop Weapon in a theatrical or film production until they receive applicable training in the handling and care of the Weapon.  A detailed description of the plan to use Weapons and Prop Weapons in a theatrical production must be filed with the head of the academic unit as well as the Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate.

Weapons and Prop Weapons must be securely stored when not in use. 

1.4 Recreational Purposes

A Club or Society whose recreational purpose involves Weapons and Prop Weapons, for activities such as fencing, martial arts, etc. is permitted to use those Weapons and Prop Weapons during sanctioned activities or events held on any University Property. Sanctioned activities or events are those overseen by the Club or Society.  The head of the club or society is responsible for ensuring that any such Weapons are securely stored when not in use.  The Club or Society maintains an up-to-date inventory of Weapons and Prop Weapons on-hand and submits a copy to the Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate when changes are made or at least annually.

2.0 Gifts

Any donations or gifts to the University of Weapons or Prop Weapons will be handled in accordance with the Gift Acceptance policy and its related procedures. The University unit receiving the gift(s) shall maintain an up-to-date inventory of any such Weapons, other than those referenced in 1.1 to 1.4, and submit a copy to the Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate when changes are made or at least annually.

3.0 Transporting Weapons 

The transporting of Weapons and Prop Weapons must be in accordance with the Procedure for Transporting On/Off or Storing Weapons or Prop Weapons on Campus. Additionally, if the Weapon(s) is a firearm, the transporting must be in accordance with the Firearms Act.

4.0 Exemptions

Certain items falling under the definition of Weapons are exempt from this policy. These are:

a)    Equipment carried by members of a police service, peace officers, licensed guards, or campus enforcement and patrol officers while acting in the course of their official duties and when authorized to carry such equipment.

b)    Folding or utility knives used for a lawful purpose that are not brandished or worn in such a manner as to cause concern or alarm.

c)    Items used for religious or ceremonial purposes that are not brandished or worn in such a manner as to cause concern or alarm.

5.0 Disposal

Weapons and Prop Weapons must be disposed of in accordance with the Firearms Act and applicable regulations. The Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate advises on the appropriate method of destruction and disposal.

6.0 Non-compliance

Use of Weapons or Prop Weapons, other than as described above is considered a violation of this policy and must be reported to the Office of the Chief Risk Officer or its designate. The designated enforcement officers for each University Property will seize unauthorized Weapons found there. These will be returned to the owner/user once either authorization has been received or the owner has arranged to have them stored permanently off University Property.  Illegal Weapons and firearms found on University property will be turned over to the applicable police service.

Individuals in Possession of unauthorized Weapons on University Property may also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University or termination of employment, depending on the circumstances.  The individual may also be subject to criminal prosecution.

Related Documents

Criminal Code of Canada
Firearms Act of Canada
Controlled Goods Policy
Gift Acceptance Policy
Student Code of Conduct
Assessment and Care Protocol (ACP) for Disturbing, Threatening and Violent Behaviour

Procedures: