Campus Carry FAQs

Fairmont State University’s current Administrative Procedure on Firearms, Weapons, and Explosives, prohibits the possession of deadly weapons on campus without authorization by the Chief of University Police.

On March 1, 2023, the West Virginia Legislature passed the W. Va. Campus Self-Defense Act.

1. Subject to certain exceptions and beginning July 1, 2024, the West Virginia Campus Self-Defense Act allows individuals with a current and valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon to carry a concealed pistol or revolver on property under Fairmont State’s control.
2. The Campus Self-Defense Act can be found in the W. Va. Code in § 18B-4-5b.
3. Importantly, the Campus Self-Defense Act does not limit the institutions of higher education from regulating the possession of pistols or revolvers in certain, listed locations, if done so in compliance with the W. Va. Business Liability Protection Act (W. Va. Code § 61-7-14).

1. The W. Va. Business Liability Protection Act (W. Va. Code § 61-7-14), allows employers and other property owners to prohibit guns on their property, except in certain situations. For example, a property owner or employer cannot prohibit a person from possessing any legally owned firearm when (1) the firearm is out of view; (2) the firearm is locked inside a motor vehicle in a parking lot; and (3) the individual is lawfully allowed to be present in the area.
2. Additionally, under the W. Va. Business Liability Protection Act and subject to limited exceptions, if someone enters that property with a firearm and they refuse to leave or relinquish the firearm, the person may be guilty of a misdemeanor.

No. Only individuals who hold a current and valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon may carry a concealed pistol or revolver in a permissible area. Open carry of handguns will still be prohibited on campus. Possession of other deadly weapons can still be prohibited.  

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office published A Guide to Concealed Handgun Laws in West Virginia in July 2020, which contains a significant amount of useful information for those wanting to learn more about the gun laws in West Virginia.

President Mike Davis established the Campus Carry Committee (CCC) in Fall 2023 to study and recommend policies and procedures regarding campus safety and implementation of the “Campus Self Defense Act” at Fairmont State University.

The 14-member committee is comprised of students, faculty, and staff.

The committee will provide recommendations to President Davis in March.

Campus implementation will begin immediately after receiving approval from the Board of Governors.

Yes, these Frequently Asked Questions will be updated as new developments occur.

The Campus Carry website will be the main hub of information related to the Campus Self Defense Act, Fairmont State’s Campus Carry Committee, and details on implementation. These Frequently Asked Questions will be updated as new developments occur.  

While the Campus Self-Defense Act takes effect July 1, implementation will occur in many forms, and has already begun—with the creation of this website. Full implementation will be completed prior to July 1, 2024.