Erik Fagan and Dan McIntosh, seniors at the Gonzaga University in Spokane Washington, face expulsion for weapons policy violation.
The students used a gun to fend off a convicted felon who came knocking on their doors asking for money on the night of Oct.24, at their off-campus apartment. Even though the stranger was offered a blanket and some food, he tried to break-in to their apartment. Fearing for their safety, Mcintosh flashed his gun at the strange man to shoo him away.
The intruder, later identified as John Taylor, was soon caught and arrested on outstanding felony warrants.
Even though the students were initially applauded for their actions, they could now face expulsion charges for violating the Student Code of Conduct. As the off-campus apartments are rented out from the university, the students are required to abide by the school's campus-wide policy banning firearms.
Campus Security officers confiscated two guns including a shotgun from the apratment.
Fagan, 21 and McIntosh, 23, claimed that they were not aware of the ban and that the latter had a concealed weapons permit. McIntosh also said that he was not given a copy of the student conduct handbook. As a result, both the students feel that they shouldn't be disciplined.
McIntosh said that if he had known about the strict-no gun policy, he would have avoided renting the school- owned apartment.
"What they don't understand, is that this has done nothing but reaffirm why I had [the gun]," McIntosh told Opposing Views. "I would've probably not have lived there. I would've moved out ... I do not feel safe, because it's the Logan Neighborhood. It's not a good place."
"It's really hard to think that expulsion could even be considered, but at the same time, they keep bringing it up," Fagan said.
According to the Armed Campuses, majority of the 4,400 colleges and universities in the United States forbid the carrying of firearms on their campuses. Only a very few universities allow concealed firearms on campus. Schools in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin allow the community to carry them in certain parts of the campus i.e. campus grounds, classrooms, dormitories, or parking lots.
