I’m supposed to be heading up to Dartmouth College to livestream the Dartmouth College Republicans / Turning Point USA’s panel discussion with Andy Ngo and Gabe Nadales on Extremism in America. Specifically Antifa.
So in talking with the DCRs, I casually asked, knowing full well what the answer would be:
Oh, btw and just for grins and giggles, is concealed carry allowed on campus <smirk>?
The answer came back, not unexpectedly: Unfortunately, weapons are not allowed on campus: https://student-affairs.dartmouth.edu/policy/weapons-firearms-fireworks-and-projectiles
However, I decided to have a look-see for myself and found a very imprecise response to my actual question (emphasis mine):
Summary of Policy
This policy prohibits the use of any weapon on the Dartmouth campus with the exception of hunting rifles/shotguns, knives, bows as well as archery supplies and related supplies, which must be registered and stored with the Department of Safety and Security.
The last time I looked, CARRYING a pistol is not USING a pistol. I would, indeed, be using a HOLSTER (and a gun belt) to carry the firearm with me, but that’s not USING that weapon. And a holster is not a “related supply” – it is an accessory that is not expressly prohibited.
Am I right or wrong here?
Sure, it is a “summary” but even summaries need even more concise and perfected speech so as to make perfectly clear what is trying to be conveyed. And I would be perfectly happy to absolutely be in compliance with it – I have no intention of shooting up anything or anyone else as my use of a Constitutional Right (“bear arms”) also comes with Responsibility.
Bats, they forgot bats (not the flying kind, folks), and ski poles. Pens and pencils, too. Even rolled up magazines and newspapers. Hands, feet? But there’s more to their Policy:
All weapons are prohibited on the Dartmouth campus. The policy below describes an exception for how hunting rifles/shotguns, knives, bows as well as archery supplies and related supplies must be registered and stored with the Department of Safety and Security. The term “weapons” should be understood to include, but not be limited to, firearms (including antique and military “trophy” firearms), paint guns, BB and pellet guns, air guns, slingshots, bows and arrows, swords, spears, various kinds of knives (other than cooking utensils or pocket knives with a blade length less than 3″), switchblades, and various martial-arts devices capable of being used as weapons. Privately-owned handguns are prohibited anywhere on the Dartmouth campus.
So which is it – USE of or a complete prohibition?
It’s one thing to HAVE and it’s another to USE. Yes, I know that Dartmouth is a private institution – but it also accepts a lot of tax monies which starts to make it more “susceptible” to falling under more Government control/strings attached / Constitutional strictures.
Bats…they forget bats (and not the flying ones). How about brass knuckles? A rope (or even string)? Rolled up newspapers/magazines? Pens, pencils? I could on going here as almost ANYTHING can be a “weapon” given need, skill, motivation, and the like. Who thought commercial jet planes would become weapons?
This is the problem with Progressives – they simply can’t enumerate and then legislate every single item OUTSIDE of their policies. Government is replete with a history where it tries to prohibit something only for smarter and more clever people figuring out to get the same results by different means. And large education institutions are just the same thing (and in believing that they are even MORE “Smahta” than we ordinary folks).
But the above seems for everyone but then they include this right afterward:
No student may possess or use a firearm, archery equipment, hunting knife or weapons of any type, and corresponding supplies, in Hanover or its environs without the approval of the Director of Safety and Security and proper registration through the Department of Safety and Security. Firearms, including rifles, shotguns, air guns, and gas-powered guns, and all ammunition or hand-loading equipment and supplies for same, must be stored in the gun room at the Department of Safety and Security. This applies to students living on or off-campus.
So, does this really mean that this policy is JUST for students? It’s not clear as they prevaricate in explicitly demanding certain behaviors of Students. Like that “or off-campus” schtick – who do they think they are, high schools (or sumptin’) who believe they have the overreaching attribute of controlling minor aged children simply because of their zip code? Or like NYC and its ordinance (now under SCOTUS examination) that holds that if you own a firearm within City limits, you aren’t allowed to take it with you outside of the city limits?
And then Dartmouth has the temerity and chutzpah to cite Laws that apply to everyone (State and Local Ordinances) which should be the only “law” necessary for Citizens, IMHO.
After all, last time I looked, college “kids” are of majority age and are full fledged Citizens (even if they aren’t always “adulting” all that well). The Constitution is supposed to protect their Rights but here we are, once again, where the philosophy of Safetyism (to steal a phrase from Gov. Baby Huey) “trumps EVERYTHING!”