Firearms in dorm rooms? How to be an armed college student....

S

seth

New member
I'm a college student who just bought my second gun, a Beretta NEOS. My friend, who has been shooting awhile and is from New York, warned my idea of storing my firearms in my off-campus private dorm room.

The dorm is actually an apartment, and everyone has a locked single-occupancy room.

I'm not sure what the rules are regarding firearms, as the handbook only lists the usual alcohol, drug, firecrackers, etc.

I was wondering if the dorm owner (who is an old and very crude/mean Japanese woman) has the rights to enter my room when I'm not around, go through my things, find my guns, then call the cops on me and evict me.

What exactly are the laws like when it comes down to storing your legally registered firearms in your place of residence? What is defined as your place of residence? Does the 2nd amendment override the rules of your dormitory or apartment?
 
Look at your lease, it should say on there whether or not firearms are permitted on the property. I don't think it would be a good idea anyway, as those living arrangements aren't the most secure. Generally landlords must give leases 24 hours notice before entering the apartment. Renters have rights.
 
If the apartment/dorm is rented through the school it is usually considered a part of the school and therefore subject to school "laws". That being said my best friend keeps a single shot .410 behind the seat of his truck and hes at one of the most liberal colleges in indiana. Another friend of mine keeps a compact glock in his locked, single occupancy dorm room.

I wouldnt do it, personally. But if you have no other storage options at least come up with a very secure place to put it. Said friend with the glock built a felt-lined wooden lock-box and secured it to the back of his computer desk.

The most important part of keeping the gun safe is not tell anyone its there. Drunk roommates wont go rummaging looking for something they dont even know exisits.
 
Where are you?

State laws regarding guns on campus varry state to state. You may already be a criminal of the "off campus" housing is considerred part of the university. In addition as "campus housing" they very well may be able to go in and out as they please.

Finally, don't tell anyone there that you even have a gun until you REALL understand the situation, you do not right now. You do not know how these people may react and could easily find yourself fighting to be allowed to continue to attend classes.

www.packing.org would be another good place to go for info.
 
I would go with a Pelican case

Get yourself a Pelican storage box - the kind photographers use to transport camera gear. I have one that has locking holes that will accept medium sized Master padlocks. I went to Lowe's and got a pair of Master padlocks that use the same key for $12; IMO, this is a good system for secure storage of firearms. A Pelican "1400" box sells for $58 and gives you a 12"x9"x5-3/16" storage space.

Pelican boxes are waterproof and come in many sizes from small to behemoth and have a couple of hard cases that are a little smaller than a brief case for use with a laptop computer; the laptop size cases would hold 2-3 handguns and have built in locks that use "coke machine" type keys.

A Pelican hard case, locked with two Master padlocks cannot be broken into, unless an axe or chainsaw is used.

Halliburton makes locking aluminum cases, also used by photographers. These are the cases used to bring rock samples back from the moon during the Apollo missions. They are also an option, but the Pelican cases are less money and are just as secure from break-in, IMO.

Either can be ordered from www.bhphotovideo.com
 
I agree with what Fal 4 ME said, and as others mentioned, find out if your housing is in any way controlled/owned by the school. If it is not, and there is nothing in the lease, then you can do as you please, they will have no legal recourse for exspulsion (if the school controls the property) or eviction (if it is privately owned, but the lease doesn't state 'no firearms').
 
Any sort of lockable container will keep your privacy against snoopers.

But don't risk your education over this - find out whether this is a dorm or private rental. Private rental - it is YOUR room, and you have a right to privacy. If it is a dorm, ask for the "dorm regulations". If it is that handbook, and guns aren't listed, then you aren't doing anything wrong.

That said, keep it under your hat so they don't need to suddenly change the rules. Follow the rules, but use discretion.
 
Check with your school's Police Department. Several of the Police Departments around here have a program where 24/7 you can take in a gun to be checked in and placed in a safe at the station, and when you want it, 24/7, you can get it out. And its free, and legal by GA law.
 
California

In my state, the carrrying of any firearm on any college campus is a felony. That includes inside a vehicle.
 
Carrying doesn't usually apply to transport in locked case. Which are your referring to?

The second is usually just referred to as "possession".
 
I was wondering if the dorm owner (who is an old and very crude/mean Japanese woman) has the rights to enter my room when I'm not around, go through my things, find my guns, then call the cops on me and evict me.
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No, only if she's sweet and Swedish!:(

Rimrock
 
Some details:

1) This is an off campus dorm NOT affiliated with my University in ANY way. It's an international dorm where ANYONE who is a student ANYWHERE can live here.

2) Yes, I did sign a lease, but there was no mentioning of firearms in it.

3) Everyone knows I love to shoot, but no one knows I own a gun, or keep it locked in my room for that matter. Even my best friends in my building don't know that I own a Kimber and Beretta Neos.

Right now I think I'm in the green zone, especially if I have the weapon locked in my desk (which is immovable and made of metal). Even if someone reported me, and they entered my room without me there, there's no way in hell that old mean lady will be able to break my Kryponite lock and chain securing my desk without a plasma cutter. :)

Of course, let's say she does have a plasma cutter, she dicovers the Kimber, and calls the cops. What kind of charges would I be up against? I mean, I have it registered, I have a permit to own, and the dorm is NOT affiliated with ANY school (it is purely independent--- think of it as a huge apartment building with a bunch of locked single rooms for rent).

Hrm?
 
Seth, your choice of terms is unusual. "Dorm" usually refers to lodging run by an organization such as a school where the dorm houses those people who attend that school.

What you described is an apartment. Unless I miss my guess, it would be likely be illegal for your apartment complex to not rent to non-students.

As for the landlord entering your abode and going through your things, no she does not have the right to go through your things except as far as gaining access to your apartment or areas of your apartment where some sort of service is being performed such as repairs, checking maintenance, changing AC filters, etc.

Handy's clarification is good, but in looking at the bottom line, say the school is in California, whether it is a felony or not, conviction for possession on campus results in a 2, 3, or 5 year imprisonment (http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/coordrev/policy/8-16-99gun.html#legislation)

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steelheart said,
A Pelican hard case, locked with two Master padlocks cannot be broken into, unless an axe or chainsaw is used.
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Not hardy. You can cut through the plastic around the locks with a good knife or razor. You can use a little butane torch melt away the plastic. A hacksaw works well too. I love pelican cases, but their security for keeping items stored inside safe from thiefs isn't great at all.
 
Are you in NY state?

Seth, from your initial post it sounds like you are from NY state, yes? You also said your weapons are licensed and registered, yes? Well here's were you can get into legal trouble. You are only allowed to keep your firearms in NY state in the home address listed on your permit. If the off campus apartment you rent is on your permit, you're alright, if it isn't get them back to your main address or you will be in a legal world of hurt. Also check with the local ordninances regarding possession of firearms near a school. A lot of cities, counties and smaller towns in NY state have laws that don't permit possession of a firearm within 500 ft. of a school covering elementary to college as schools.
 
Others have already raised the issue about having a firearm within so-many-feet of a school but you should be sure of your position there. Note that the school "perimeter" may be larger than you think - check with the campus PD to see what the school grounds officially encompass.

As to your living arrangements... You say you are living in, essentially, a rental property with a single, locked room. The rental agreement does not mention firearms (does it mention "weapons" at all?) but look for other clauses regarding behavior, disturbances, etc. My presumption is that you have common bathroom(s) and kitchen facilities. Know your state's laws about rental properties and rooms. Also review your lease contract to see if it contains anything about inspections or entering the rental room without notice. Typically they are allowed to do so under 'emergency' conditions (leaking water, smell of gas, emergency repairs, etc.)

Now, I'm not a lawyer, don't play one on TV and I live in Kommiefornia so take this with a grain of salt. If this is your primary residence for more than 6 months of the year (1)register to vote at that address, (2)update your driver's license, unless there is/are good reason(s) not to do so. This will establish the room as your legal residence.

Next, purchase a quality steel locking box for your firearms. A Gun-Vault or similar product will do, as long as you can anchor it to the wall, floor, desk or some other difficult to move object. Best if you can use round-head Torx or allen head bolts or square-drive wood screws so it's cumbersome for someone to remove it without the right tools.

If your landlady enters your room unannounced for anything other than an urgent or emergency circumstance, it may be considered unlawful. Even if she does so legally because of a maintenance issue, she is not permitted to snoop through drawers, mail, papers, etc. That would be invasion of privacy. Should she question you about "that black box on the closet wall" simply explain to her that you will either repair any holes left when you leave OR leave it for the next resident. Questions about its contents should be met with "It's none of your business, that's why it's not transparent."

Should you enter your room to find it occupied by the landlady or someone acting on her behalf, find out why they are there. If it's not an urgent situation demand that they leave, then type a letter to her explaining that further "tresspasses" will not be tolerated. Then back it up. If she does it again, file a police complaint for unlawful tresspass and show them the letter as documentation that this isn't the first time.
 
roy reali said: In my state, [California] the carrrying of any firearm on any college campus is a felony. That includes inside a vehicle.
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No, it doesn't. Some precision, please.

Actually, it's perfectly legal to have a gun locked in your truck, or to carry on campus if you have a CCW (common in north-state). And it's a presumptive defense to carry without a permit, as long as you have a current non-reciprical restraining order based on life or safety.

CA Penal Code 626.9
(c) Subdivision (b) does not apply to the possession of a firearm
under any of the following circumstances:

(1) Within a place of residence or place of business or on private
property, if the place of residence, place of business, or private
property is not part of the school grounds and the possession of the
firearm is otherwise lawful.

(2) When the firearm is an unloaded pistol, revolver, or other
firearm capable of being concealed on the person and is in a locked
container or within the locked trunk of a motor vehicle.
This section does not prohibit or limit the otherwise lawful
transportation of any other firearm, other than a pistol, revolver,
or other firearm capable of being concealed on the person, in
accordance with state law.

(3) When the person possessing the firearm reasonably believes
that he or she is in grave danger because of circumstances forming
the basis of a current restraining order issued by a court against
another person or persons who has or have been found to pose a threat
to his or her life or safety. This subdivision may not apply when
the circumstances involve a mutual restraining order issued pursuant
to Division 10 (commencing with Section 6200) of the Family Code
absent a factual finding of a specific threat to the person's life or
safety. Upon a trial for violating subdivision (b), the trier of a
fact shall determine whether the defendant was acting out of a
reasonable belief that he or she was in grave danger.

(4) When the person is exempt from the prohibition against
carrying a concealed firearm pursuant to subdivision (b), (d), (e),
or (h) of Section 12027. (IOW, possesses a CCW)
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Dex
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