Student, Faculty, and Staff Attitudes Regarding Concealed Weapons on Campus

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess the beliefs and attitudes of University faculty, staff, and students regarding the carrying a concealed weapon on campus. Significance: Recent acts of gun violence on college campuses have led to discussion of whether college faculty, staff, and students who possess a concealed weapon permit should be allowed to carry a weapon on campus. Method: Following approval from the university human subjects committee, a stratified random sample faculty, staff, and student e-mails was drawn by the Office of Institutional Research. A total of 1,424 faculty, staff, and students were e-mailed a link to an on-line survey. The survey consisted of thirty-nine questions and took approximately 15 minutes to complete. Results: The response rate was 40% (564). The majority of our sample was white (83%), and female (60%). Of the 564 individuals who completed the survey, 65% were students, 20% were staff, and 15% were faculty. When asked if “America would be safer place without handguns” the majority of staff (66%) and students (65%) disagreed, a slight majority of faculty (55%) agreed. Those who disagreed were significantly more likely to possess a concealed weapon permit, be a member of the NRA, and identify their political affiliation as Republican. When asked if faculty who have a concealed weapon permit should be allowed to carry a weapon campus the majority students (60%) agreed, the majority of faculty (68%) and staff (51%) disagreed. When asked if a student who has concealed permit should be allowed to carry a weapon on campus, the majority students, staff, and faculty were not in favor with students carrying a weapon on campus. The majority of participants (59%) believed that it was unlikely that they would be victim of gun violence on campus. Conclusions: While our participants had a favorable view of handguns the majority did not believe that students should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus and only students believed that faculty should be allowed to carry weapons.

At the end of this session the participant will be able to: 1. Identify student attitudes and beliefs about concealed weapon carrying on a campus. 2. Identify faculty attitudes and beliefs about concealed weapon carrying on a campus. 3. Identify staff attitudes and beliefs about concealed weapon carrying on a campus.