The full Board of Trustees will meet Friday to approve a resolution permitting concealed carry by off-duty officers. Credit: Lantern File Photo
Ohio State will soon allow off-duty officers to carry concealed weapons on campus and be admitted into buildings, events and venues with a firearm.
The Master Planning and Facilities Committee approved a resolution on Thursday allowing full-time off-duty officers to carry concealed firearms on university property located within their jurisdiction. The proposal will have to be approved by the full Board of Trustees on Friday.
“For the first time we are establishing there are officers of the law, licensed officers, who carry their weapon with them at all times,” Jay Kasey, senior vice president of Administration and Planning, said. “These officers must be in compliance with all applicable legal requirements and would be required to follow all protocols and procedures established by the university.”
The police departments whose officers will fall underneath the umbrella of “permitted officers” will include The Ohio State University Police Division, the City of Columbus Division of Police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Concealed carry is generally prohibited by Ohio law on the property of private or public universities in the state, but allows for an institution’s board of trustees to vote on and approve exceptions to the rule.
