CMUPD stores student weapons for safety
CMU students have the ability to store their registered weapons with the CMUPD. During the hunting season CMUPD receives more weapons than usual. CMUPD currently stores 10 weapons.
After two violations of Central Michigan University’s weapons policy, CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley reminds students living on campus that they can store their firearms at the Combined Services Building.
“It’s a simple process, and it’s free," Yeagley said. “We lock up your weapon in a designated storage area.”
CMUPD offers free on-site storage of students’ weapons. Students who wish to check in a weapon with the department must bring the weapon unloaded and locked in a case. An officer records their information and provides a receipt. Students may check in multiple weapons with the police department.
“We don’t ask you why you have it or what it’s for,” Yeagley said. “You don’t have to answer any questions, just fill out a form with your information.”
CMU’s weapons policy forbids anyone from carrying a weapon while on university property. Weapons listed include firearms, fireworks, knives with a blade greater than three inches and bows. Yeagley said the point of the policy is not to infringe on anyone’s rights but to keep the campus community safe.
“You might be an expert on weapons safety,” Yeagley said. “Your roommate however, their friends, other people bustling in and out of your room, they might not know about handling it safely.”
Lt. Larry Klaus said most of the weapons checked in are for hunting.
“There’s definitely some hunting around here,” said Klause. “Although most of it is on private land.”
The CMUPD weapon’s locker room currently holds 10 weapons, which Yeagley said is typical.
“It doesn’t get very high,” said Yeagley. “Maybe a dozen at most.”
Most students taking advantage of the service are freshmen living in the dorms. Students who have deposited weapons with the department may check them out at any time with photo ID and their original receipt.
Other Michigan universities have a variety of ways to deal with students keeping firearms on campus. The Michigan State University Police Department offers a weapons storage facility, but Grand Valley State University ended their program several years ago in to discourage students from bringing weapons on campus.
Eastern Michigan University does not offer weapon storage. Western Michigan University does offer storage, but weapons can only be checked in for a single day.
Yeagley said offering year-round storage at the police department is the best way to keep weapons where they belong.
“People who insist on breaking the law may still try to keep their weapons with them despite the free storage,” Yeagley said. “They run the risk of being found out and kicked out of school.”
