Public Safety, Weapons Possession Policy
Volunteer State Community College | Business & Finance Division
Pursuant to T.C.A. 49-111, all campus public safety officers carry regulation firearms while on duty. These weapons may be used only when there is a serious, imminent, identifiable threat to life or a threat of great bodily harm.
No one other than certified police department personnel may carry or possess firearms on campus. Notification of the Felony Provisions of T.C.A. 39-17-1309 is posted throughout various buildings. Signs are prominently displayed with the following language: FELONY: STATE LAW PRESCRIBES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF SIX (6) YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $3,000 FOR CARRYING WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.
The unapproved possession, use or sale of firearms, ammunition, fireworks, major or minor explosives, or any lethal weapon on campus is forbidden, and subject to College discipline as well as to criminal sanctions. NO INDIVIDUAL IS PERMITTED TO CARRY A WEAPON ON CAMPUS.
T.C.A. 39-17-1359 states "The owner/operator of this property has banned weapons on this property. Failure to comply with this prohibition is punishable as a criminal act under state law and may subject violator to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500)."
Any violation of these laws should be reported to your instructor or the Public Safety Department immediately.
Our public safety officers are encouraged to exercise every precaution when utilizing firearms in their day-to-day work assignments. Should an occasion arise whereby an officer has to present a weapon before the public or discharge a firearm, an immediate Internal Affairs investigation is conducted. Each public safety officer fully understands the statutory, moral, and ethical considerations involving the exercise of lethal force. Every effort is made to ensure that any use of deadly force is the officer's final alternative. College Officers are trained in the use of ASP batons as well as Chemical Mace to provide less than lethal forms of force.
To ensure professional training standards are maintained in the use of firearms by College police personnel, the VSCC Public Safety Department maintains a certified Police Firearm Instructor for all firearms training.
