My letter:

Dear Mr Frank,
I have reviewed the final version of the weapons ban that you and your esteemed colleagues have drafted. Aside from being against the overwhelming wishes of the student body, as well as the opinions of prominent law enforcement officials, this policy is in direct violation of Title 18 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, specifically CRS 18-12-201 , which states :

(1) The general assembly finds that:








(a) There exists a widespread inconsistency among jurisdictions within the state with regard to the issuance of permits to carry concealed handguns and identification of areas of the state where it is lawful to carry concealed handguns;








(b) This inconsistency among jurisdictions creates public uncertainty regarding the areas of the state in which it is lawful to carry concealed handguns;








(c) Inconsistency results in the arbitrary and capricious denial of permits to carry concealed handguns based on the jurisdiction of residence rather than the qualifications for obtaining a permit;








(d) The criteria and procedures for the lawful carrying of concealed handguns historically has been regulated by state statute and should be consistent throughout the state to ensure the consistent implementation of state law; and








(e) It is necessary that the state occupy the field of regulation of the bearing of concealed handguns since the issuance of a concealed handgun permit is based on a person's constitutional right of self-protection and there is a prevailing state interest in ensuring that no citizen is arbitrarily denied a concealed handgun permit and in ensuring that the laws controlling the use of the permit are consistent throughout the state.








(2) Based on the findings specified in subsection (1) of this section, the general assembly hereby concludes that:








(a) The permitting and carrying of concealed handguns is a matter of statewide concern; and








(b) It is necessary to provide statewide uniform standards for issuing permits to carry concealed handguns for self-defense.








(3) In accordance with the findings and conclusions specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the general assembly hereby instructs each sheriff to implement and administer the provisions of this part 2. The general assembly does not delegate to the sheriffs the authority to regulate or restrict the issuance of permits provided for in this part 2 beyond the provisions of this part 2. An action or rule that encumbers the permit process by placing burdens on the applicant beyond those sworn statements and specified documents detailed in this part 2 or that creates restrictions beyond those specified in this part 2 is in conflict with the intent of this part 2 and is prohibited.






In addition, CRS 18-12-214 specifically states the areas in which a lawfully issues permit is valid. I believe that the policy which you intend to implement is a clear violation of this section as well.


18-12-214. Authority granted by permit - carrying restrictions.









(1) (a) A permit to carry a concealed handgun authorizes the permittee to carry a concealed handgun in all areas of the state, except as specifically limited in this section. A permit does not authorize the permittee to use a handgun in a manner that would violate a provision of state law. A local government does not have authority to adopt or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would conflict with any provision of this part 2.








(b) A peace officer may temporarily disarm a permittee, incident to a lawful stop of the permittee. The peace officer shall return the handgun to the permittee prior to discharging the permittee from the scene.








(2) A permit issued pursuant to this part 2 does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into a place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.








(3) A permit issued pursuant to this part 2 does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun onto the real property, or into any improvements erected thereon, of a public elementary, middle, junior high, or high school; except that:








(a) A permittee may have a handgun on the real property of the public school so long as the handgun remains in his or her vehicle and, if the permittee is not in the vehicle, the handgun is in a compartment within the vehicle and the vehicle is locked;








(b) A permittee who is employed or retained by contract by a school district as a school security officer may carry a concealed handgun onto the real property, or into any improvement erected thereon, of a public elementary, middle, junior high, or high school while the permittee is on duty;








(c) A permittee may carry a concealed handgun on undeveloped real property owned by a school district that is used for hunting or other shooting sports.








(4) A permit issued pursuant to this part 2 does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into a public building at which:








(a) Security personnel and electronic weapons screening devices are permanently in place at each entrance to the building;








(b) Security personnel electronically screen each person who enters the building to determine whether the person is carrying a weapon of any kind; and








(c) Security personnel require each person who is carrying a weapon of any kind to leave the weapon in possession of security personnel while the person is in the building.








(5) Nothing in this part 2 shall be construed to limit, restrict, or prohibit in any manner the existing rights of a private property owner, private tenant, private employer, or private business entity.








(6) The provisions of this section apply to temporary emergency permits issued pursuant to section 18-12-209.









Source: L. 2003: Entire part added, p. 647, § 1, effective May 17.




Since CSU does not restrict access to the campuses via security checkpoints with metal detectors, the university cannot guarantee the safety of the student body from armed criminals that will disregard the policy. In my opinion, by depriving the students and faculty any means of self defense, the university may find itself culpable in litigation arising from a violent attack.