Faculty perceptions and practices regarding carrying concealed handguns on university campuses

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Higher Education Security
• Social Science

Background:

• Firearm presence correlates with increased trauma.
• Legislation allowing concealed handguns on university campuses is increasing.
• Faculty perceptions of campus safety and firearm policies are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate college faculty's views on concealed handgun policies on campus.
• To identify faculty perceptions of risks and benefits associated with carrying concealed handguns in university settings.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 1,125 faculty at 15 state universities in five Great Lakes states.
• A two-wave postal mailing achieved a 70% response rate (791 faculty).
• Statistical analysis identified factors influencing perceptions of disadvantages.

Main Results:

• 98% of faculty felt safe on campus.
• 94% opposed concealed handguns on campus.
• A majority supported seven of eight potential disadvantages of campus carry.
• Non-firearm owners, Democrats, Independents, Asians, and females were more likely to perceive disadvantages.

Conclusions:

• The majority of college faculty feel safe and do not support concealed handguns on campus.
• Faculty perceive carrying concealed handguns as posing more risks than benefits to the campus environment.
• Proactive measures are necessary to preserve campus safety.