EAST LANSING (WWJ) - The Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved a ban on carrying concealed weapons anywhere on the MSU Campus by a vote of five to two on Friday.
The move by the university now forbids all students, employees and members of the public from possessing weapons on campus, whereas before policy allowed the public to bear arms as long as they didn't enter a building.
The Board of Trustees had been considering an overhaul on the old policy after years of student protests and then recently spurred on by the implementation of the University of Michigan's gun ban which was upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals back in July.
The decision was made during the MSU Board of Trustees' first meeting of the 2023-24 school year.
University spokeswoman Emily Guerrant told The Detroit News that there is one exception that does permit those driving through campus, which located across two cities and four townships, to carry a concealed weapon.
"It would create more consistency," said Guerrant. "The rules that (students and employees) are abiding by would also be the rules that the public would be asked to abide by."
The move comes seven months after a mass shooter open fired on campus, killing three and critically wounding five others. The tragedy began at Berkey Hall before the gunman moved to the Union building.
Guerrant emphasized that the vote was not in response to the events on Feb. 13.
MSU's decision is a contrast to the fight going on across town in Lansing's Capitol Building over whether valid CPL holders can carry inside government buildings.
State Sen. Michele Hoitenga proposed new legislation on Thursday which would allow anyone who possesses a valid concealed pistol license (CPL) to have a weapon while inside the Michigan Capitol, stating "law-abiding citizens shouldn't be forced to give up their rights when visiting their state Capitol, nor should they be treated any differently from the lawmakers who they elected to represent them in Lansing,"
