EAST LANSING, Mich. – In the wake of the deadly shooting, Michigan State University is banning concealed weapons on school property.
In a 5-2 vote, the Board of Trustees agreed on the expansion of the school’s general rules against having weapons on campus. While students and staff were forbidden from having a gun on campus, that rule didn’t extend to the general public. Originally, CPL holders were allowed on campus as long as they did not enter a building.
“No longer can individuals of the general public hold carry concealed on our green spaces on campus and property owned and governed by the university,” said deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen. “There is an exemption for those who are traveling through our campus and not stopping on our campus property or getting out of their vehicle with the firearm.”
MSU’s campus is situated in parts of two cities and four townships. Some use the campus as a thoroughfare.
Students said it’s a step in the right direction.
“As an activist and a student who was here during the shooting, it means a lot to see this loophole closed,” said Saylor Reinders, with Students Demand Action.
Reinders joined Students Demand Action to help end gun violence in the country. The MSU junior praised the Board of Trustees decision.
“It was very traumatizing what our campus went through and to see the board make a change after that,” Reinders said. “It’s very important. I wish that more changes would have been made before to protect students. But I’m glad that at least that were made now.”
Students Against Gun Violence spotted the loophole several years ago and have been pushing for change ever since.
“It’s sad that it takes us having to speak to that for change to be made, but we’re here we’re going to keep showing up until gun violence isn’t as big of a problem as it is today,” Reinders said.
Local 4′s Crime and Safety expert Darnell Blackburn said the amendment might make some students and faculty feel safer, but it might not make things safer.
“I don’t know that it would make that much of a difference if somebody chooses to harm or wants to harm students or staff in the MSU community,” Blackburn said.
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