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Vanderbilt’s prohibition of guns on campus not changed by new state law

New state gun law affects public institutions, not Vanderbilt

As a private institution, Vanderbilt University is not subject to a new state law that takes effect Friday, July 1, for public colleges and universities.

The law allows full-time faculty, staff and other employees of Tennessee’s public colleges and universities who have handgun-carry permits to carry their guns on campus – but they must notify the local law enforcement agency with primary responsibility for security on their campus, such as the campus police.

Vanderbilt’s prohibition of guns on campus remains in effect. The university prohibits anyone other than on-duty police officers from possessing firearms on campus.

The university also does not permit storage of recreational sporting/hunting equipment, such as archery equipment, inside residential facilities on campus. The Vanderbilt University Police Department provides students with a lawful means of storage on campus for firearms and other sporting/hunting equipment.