On July 1, a new state law takes effect that allows Tennessee’s public colleges and universities’ full-time faculty and staff, who have handgun-carry permits, to carry handguns on campus. To implement the changes, UT has adopted a new safety policy, which also takes effect July 1.
Safety Policy 0875 addresses how UT applies the many different state laws regarding firearms and clarifies when an employee may and may not legally carry a handgun on University property. The policy expands on the following key provisions of state law:
- Full-time UT employees with valid Tennessee handgun-carry permits may carry handguns on UT property, if:
- They are not enrolled as students; and
- They notify the law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the UT property on which they will be carrying a handgun
- Employees must display their handgun-carry permits on request of law enforcement officers
Employees must not:- Carry a weapon other than a handgun
- Carry a handgun openly or in any other manner in which the handgun is visible to ordinary observation
- Carry a handgun at certain times and locations, such as:
- Stadiums, gymnasiums or auditoriums where University-sponsored events are in progress
- In meetings regarding disciplinary matters or tenure
All employees are encouraged to review the policy in its entirety and answers to frequently asked questions provided here.
Additional information about implementation efforts will be shared soon by each campus and institute. Questions can be directed to the law enforcement contacts listed within the policy.