Dangerous Weapons on Campus

Policy Statement

Stanford University prohibits the possession of any of the following weapons on the Stanford campus: firearm, dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 2 1/2 inches (except for lawful use in food preparation or consumption), folding knife with a blade that locks into place, razor with an unguarded blade, taser, stun gun, instrument that expels a metallic projectile (such as a BB or a pellet), spot marker gun, or any other weapons prohibited by California Penal Code Sections 626.10 and 626.9.

For purposes of this policy, the term “Stanford campus” shall include all the lands, buildings, and facilities of Leland Stanford Junior University, whether owned, leased, and controlled, and whether located in the United States or abroad (excluding the privately owned, managed, or leased residences of faculty or staff that are located on the main Stanford campus in unincorporated Santa Clara County). In addition to the prohibited weapons, ammunition is not allowed to be stored or possessed in university owned, leased, and controlled buildings (excluding the privately owned, managed, or leased residences of faculty or staff that are located on the main Stanford campus in unincorporated Santa Clara County). In the event a federal or state law or a county ordinance is more restrictive than this policy, federal or state law or the county ordinance shall apply.

Requests for an exemption from this policy for academic purposes may be requested in writing to the Director of the Stanford University Department of Public Safety. Each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and be evaluated by the Office of Risk Management and the Department of Public Safety. A written letter will be provided by the Director of the Department of Public Safety in the event an exemption is granted.

The Stanford University Department of Public Safety does not provide facilities for the storage of firearms.

The University's policy prohibiting weapons on campus (pdf) is available on the Resources tab of the Department of Public Safety web site.

Contact Information

Department of Public Safety