To Fellow Members of the KU Community
On January 26, 2017, the faculty of the Department of Molecular Biosciences voted to endorse the “Resolution Objecting to Allowing Concealed Weapons on KU Campuses” put forth by the KU University and Faculty Senates. We agree that allowing concealed carry on campus will likely result in a net decrease in the safety of the KU campus, and, according to the Docking Institute survey, will result in the perception of decreased safety for the majority of the campus community. In addition, firearms pose particular risks in research laboratories such as ours. Many of our laboratories contain hazardous, toxic and/or flammable chemicals; compressed gas cylinders that, if damaged, could release harmful gasses, become dangerous projectiles or explode; and biohazards, including infectious agents. In all cases, the discharge of a firearm in a research laboratory has the potential to harm large numbers of people and cause significant damage to KU buildings. For all of these reasons, the faculty members of the Department of Molecular Biosciences are overwhelmingly opposed to legalizing firearms on the KU campus. We urge the Kansas Legislature to permanently exempt the KU campus from the Personal and Family Protection Act, or minimally, continue the KU exemption from the law.
Learn more about KU's policy regarding concealed carry