The smell of wildflowers travel through the wind, and her finger releases the string. Almost an entire inch away from the target in the middle of the grassy field, she pulls the bow string back, ready to try again. After some contemplation, the question of how to continue enjoying her love for archery and hunting once she moves to Colorado Mesa University in the fall can’t help but lay heavy on her mind.
Colorado Mesa University implements a policy that “weapons of any kind, functional or not, may not be carried or brandished” on CMU property, per the Maverick Guide. However, the school offers an alternative option for students who want to still partake in activities that involve using weapons off campus.
“It is really a great system,” Grand Junction Police officer Isaac Gallegos said.
Students can leave their weapons, ranging from sporting rifles to knives, inside the two safes located at the Colorado Mesa University substation. Students must fill out a check-in and check-out form when dropping off and picking up their weapon.
“Only CMU officers are allowed access to the safes,” Campus Safety Officer Rosario Alba said. “When they finish with them [weapons], say they go on a hunting trip for the weekend, they give us a call, set up an appointment, and we put it back into the safe for them until they want to use them again.”
“Many students use this service offered by CMU,” said Gallegos.
“One student has a bow and arrow,” Gallegos said. “She very frequently checks it out, goes out for a few hours and brings it back.”
In CMU’s weapon policy guidelines on the school website, a dangerous weapon is defined as being any of the following: a firearm, any pellet or “BB” gun, a fixed blade knife with a blade that measures longer than three inches or a spring loaded knife or pocket knife with a blade longer than three and one-half inches, and any object, device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate or inanimate that is used or intended to be used to inflict death or serious bodily injury.
“Campus safety is of the utmost priority at Colorado Mesa University,” states The Maverick Guide. “Weapons are not appropriate to the University experience.”
In certain circumstances, students who seek accommodations may look for permission by contacting the Grand Junction Police Department or the Vice President for Student Services.
To contact the Campus Police regarding this issue, use their non-emergency phone number (970)-242-6707.
