Gateway Approved Policy Banning Weapons Inside Buildings

In an effort to provide a safe learning and working environment, Gateway Technical College has initiated a policy prohibiting anyone from bringing a weapon inside any college building.

Signs outlining the policy have already begun to be posted at all entrances to college buildings.

“We want to promote a welcoming, healthy and safe environment in the best interest of our students, staff and community members visiting or engaging in an activity at the college,” said Dennis Sherwood, Gateway director of security and safety.

The policy was approved in response to the recently enacted state law allowing for the concealed carry of firearms in Wisconsin. While the law prohibits Gateway from banning concealed carry of weapons on its grounds, it does provide the option to prohibit concealed carry inside Gateway facilities. That policy had to be in place by Nov. 1, when concealed carry would take effect in Wisconsin.

Gateway’s policy bans all weapons inside college facilities which includes – but isn’t limited to – such items as knives and pistols. However, it does exempt law enforcement officers, private security staff members while they are performing their official duties and firearms training instructors.

The state law requires the college to post the signs at every entrance. Posting the signs allows the college the ability to ask anyone they believe is carrying a weapon inside a building whether they are complying with the policy. If it is determined they are not, local law enforcement will be notified.

While the college cannot restrict concealed carry of weapons on its grounds, the law does allows it to determine how weapons must be stored for those who choose to bring them and leave them in vehicles parked on college grounds.

 The Gateway policy states that the weapon must be out of plain sight. If the weapon is a gun, it must be unloaded and stored in a locked box, or have a locked trigger guard in place.