The Griffon News

Some would say that they believe that Missouri Western is a safe place, but how much are we informed about our safety. 

A student, who is a police officer attends classes here at the Western.

On Oct. 10, he was spotted by students with his gun on him. This officer was off duty and was dressed as a civilian; there was no visual proof that showed he was an officer so the students went to the Dean of Student Services.

The students did notify the Dean of Student Services and Jon Kelley who is head of public safety.
Judith Grimes, Interim Dean of Student Development stated that “If this is a concern for students, I suggest that they may check with other institutions to see how they handle this, then make a recommendation to student affairs and we will be happy to further discussions about this.”
When the students talked to the Dean of Student Services they stated that although he is a student the rules for carrying firearms did not apply to him because the university can not contradict the state law that states that police officers can carry weapons on and off duty. 
The Missouri statues state that there is no such thing as an officer off duty.

This is understandable considering that criminals don’t take a break either. But is it necessary for this student who is also and officer to wear his firearm while in a classroom. One may have the thought if he feels safe or not on the Missouri Western Campus, or does he just wear it because he can. The concern that may be going through a lot of people’s minds is what if the gun went off in class.

If there is nothing in the Missouri Western handbook or any other documents stating that there are any regulations against a student, who is also an officer carrying a firearm in a class room.
Should the University notify their students that if anything were to happen and a tragedy was to occur, such as the gun going off. The University would not be liable for what may happen to them. But that the student would have to take up that matter with the state of Missouri.
 
The University says that they want us to have a safe community, but if our class rooms aren’t even safe how is our community going to be safe. Think about it.

How would you feel if one of your classmates were sitting next to you with a gun. You don’t  know if their gun was on safety or if it has one, but because their a police would it make you feel better, or if the policy  says no students can carry any firearms it should apply to all students even off duty officers.