Duke University opts out of N.C. law permitting handguns on college campuses, bars [View all]

As of today, licensed gun owners who are in public college in North Carolina are allowed to conceal their handguns in locked vehicles. This legislation—passed as a provision of House Bill 937 in July by Governor Pat McCrory—applies explicitly to public universities and colleges in North Carolina.

Duke University officials responded by issuing a statement several days ago prohibiting guns on campus whatsoever, an avenue granted by the new bill for private institutions.

“Duke has had a very long history of not permitting weapons on campus,” said Vice President of Administration Kyle Cavanaugh. “For us, the campus remains in exactly the same form in terms of gun-carrying policies. There’s no change in the way we’ve been handling this for the many past decades.”

Although private institutions are not mandated to comply with the law, they have to make their policies explicitly clear. Cavanaugh explained that Duke will put up signs in critical locations reminding students that firearms are banned on campus.

“The signs are simply going to say that weapons are prohibited from Duke properties,” Cavanaugh said.

Read More: http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2013/10/01/university-opts-out-nc-law-permitting-handguns-college-campuses-bars