In conjunction with the Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995, the possession of weapons is generally prohibited on all Ventura County Community College District properties, including but not limited to, Moorpark College, Oxnard College, the Oxnard College Fire Technology Academy, Ventura College, Ventura College East Campus, and the District Administrative Center.
This page provides in-depth information on the laws and the VCCCD policies and procedures related to the possession of firearms and other weapons on VCCCD colleges and properties. Any questions related to the possession of weapons on the campuses should be directed to the VCCCD Police Services office at dist-pd@vcccd.edu.
Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 3530
Board Policy (BP) 3530 and Administrative Procedure (AP) 3530 govern the possession of weapons on the District and its college properties. In accordance with BP 3530, firearms and other weapons shall be prohibited on any District and college property except for activities conducted under the direction of District officials or as authorized by a law enforcement agency.
Under AP 3530, firearms, knives, explosives, and any other dangerous objects, including but not limited to any facsimile firearm, knife, or explosive, are prohibited on any District and college property. Activities involving firearms or any other weapons conducted under the direction of District officials or as authorized by a law enforcement agency shall be reported to the VCCCD Chief of Police before taking place. Furthermore, any person who believes they may properly possess a firearm or other weapon on District and college properties must also promptly notify and receive written permission from the VCCCD Chief of Police.
AP 3530 also prohibits anyone from bringing or possessing any dirk, dagger, ice pick, or knife having a fixed or locking blade longer than 2-1/2 inches, and any taser or stun gun, upon the grounds of the District and its colleges, unless the person is authorized to possess such a weapon in the course of their employment, has been authorized by a District administrator or the Chief of Police, or is a duly appointed peace officer engaged in the performance of their duties.
Firearms and Ammunition on Campus
Without written permission, it is a felony crime to bring or possess a firearm (whether loaded [unless you have a CCW] or unloaded) upon the grounds of the District and its colleges (§§ 626.9(h) & (i) PC). Additionally, without written permission, it is a misdemeanor crime to carry ammunition onto school grounds (§ 30310(a) PC), unless the ammunition remains inside a vehicle and locked in a lockbox approved by the Department of Justice (§ 30310(b)(10) PC).
While there are some exemptions authorized by statue to the rules and regulations described above (e.g., active-duty and retired peace officers, active-duty military, armed security, etc.; see: §§ 626.9(l) - 626.9(q) PC), VCCCD Administrative Procedure 3530 requires anyone seeking to bring or possess a firearm or other weapon on District and college properties to receive written permission from the VCCCD Chief of Police. Failure to obtain written permission may subject you to disciplinary action by the District or legal action.
Permission can be formally requested by submitting a Request for Permission to Carry Weapons on VCCCD Property form to the Office of the Chief of Police.
Knives on Campus
California Penal Code Section 626.10(b) makes it a felony to bring or possess any dirk, dagger, ice pick, or knife having a fixed blade longer than 2-1/2 inches upon the grounds of the District and its colleges. There are exceptions that allow the prohibited items to be possessed lawfully for school-sponsored activities, for a lawful purpose within the scope of an employee’s duties, or for the lawful use in food preparation or consumption (§ 626.10(b) PC et seq.).
Generally, folding pocketknives that are otherwise lawful to possess and carry are not prohibited from possession on the college campuses so long as they remain closed. If the pocketknife has a blade longer than 2-1/2 inches, it cannot be opened into a fixed position while on the college campuses unless one of the exceptions described above applies.
Furthermore, duly appointed peace officers and members of the armed forces are exempt from the prohibition while carrying out official duties. Any person summoned by a peace officer to assist in making an arrest, and while actually engaged in assisting the peace officer, is also exempt from the prohibition.
In accordance with VCCCD Administrative Procedure 3530, any person who believes they may properly possess a weapon on any District property (including exempted individuals, such as active-duty and retired peace officers) must notify and obtain written permission from the VCCCD Police Department Chief of Police. Permission can be formally requested by submitting a Request for Permission to Carry Weapons on VCCCD Property form to the Office of the Chief of Police.
Carry Concealed Weapons Permits
California Penal Code Section 26230(a)(14) prohibits individuals who have been issued a valid CCW permit from carrying a concealed weapon on their person on the college campuses, including all properties, parking areas, sidewalks, and common areas owned or operated by the District. Note: While the prohibited locations added under Senate Bill 2 (Jan. 1, 2024) are currently enjoined and unenforceable pending the outcome of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, public and private colleges, universities, and community colleges are not among those locations enjoined.
Sections 26230(b) and 26230(c) of the Penal Code allow a CCW permit holder to transport a loaded firearm and ammunition on District property within their vehicle, and into and out of District parking areas, so long as the firearm is locked in a lockbox approved by the Department of Justice (and with written permission from the VCCCD Police Department Chief of Police, pursuant to AP 3530). Section 26230(e) PC expressly prohibits a CCW permit holder from transporting a concealed firearm on their person on District property while inside their vehicle, including while transporting the firearm into and out of a parking area.
In accordance with VCCCD Administrative Procedure 3530, any person who believes they may properly possess a firearm or other weapon on any District property (including exempted individuals, such as active-duty and retired peace officers) must notify and obtain written permission from the VCCCD Police Department Chief of Police (§§ 626.9(h) & (i) PC). Permission can be formally requested by submitting a Request for Permission to Carry Weapons on VCCCD Property form to the Office of the Chief of Police.
Firearm Storage While on Campus
All firearms being stored on campus, including inside a parked vehicle, must be unloaded and locked inside a lockbox approved by the Department of Justice. Written permission from the VCCCD Police Department Chief of Police is required to comply with California Penal Code Section 626.9(h) and VCCCD Administrative Procedure 3530. Failure to obtain written permission makes the possession of the firearm a felony and may subject you to disciplinary action by the District and/or legal action.
If you are permitted by the VCCCD Police Department Chief of Police to possess the firearm in a locked container inside your vehicle while on campus, it must be unloaded unless you have been issued a valid permit to carry concealed weapons (CCW). Without a valid CCW permit, anyone who possesses a loaded firearm within a vehicle on District and college properties may be in violation of California Penal Code Sections 25400(a), 25850(a), and 26100(a).
Permission can be formally requested by submitting a Request for Permission to Carry Weapons on VCCCD Property form to the Office of the Chief of Police.
Tasers and Stun Guns on Campus
California Penal Code Section 626.10(i) makes it a misdemeanor to bring or possess a stun gun upon the grounds of the District and its colleges without written permission. Furthermore, VCCCD Administrative Procedure 3530 also prohibits anyone from brining or possessing any taser or stun gun upon the grounds of the District and its college, unless the person is authorized to possess such a weapon in the course of their employment, has been authorized by a District administrator or the Chief of Police, or is a duly appointed peace officer engaged in the performance of their duties.
Permission can be formally requested by submitting a Request for Permission to Carry Weapons on VCCCD Property form to the Office of the Chief of Police.
Less Lethal Weapons on Campus
California Penal Code Section 626.10(i) makes it a misdemeanor to bring or possess a “less lethal weapon” (as defined by § 16780 PC) upon the grounds of the District and its colleges without written permission. Furthermore, VCCCD Administrative Procedure 3530 also prohibits anyone from brining or possessing any weapon upon the grounds of the District and its college, unless the person is authorized to possess such a weapon in the course of their employment, has been authorized by a District administrator or the Chief of Police, or is a duly appointed peace officer engaged in the performance of their duties.
Permission can be formally requested by submitting a Request for Permission to Carry Weapons on VCCCD Property form to the Office of the Chief of Police.
Replica Weapons on Campus
While not expressly prohibited by law, VCCCD Administrative Procedure 3530 requires any person seeking to bring any facsimile firearm, knife, or explosive onto District and college property to notify and obtain written permission from the VCCCD Police Department Chief of Police.
Permission can be formally requested by submitting a Request for Permission to Carry Weapons on VCCCD Property form to the Office of the Chief of Police.
Self-Defense Options on Campus
Some self-defense weapons may be carried on campus, so long as they are carried within the legal limits. The most common permissible self-defense weapon is pepper spray, as long as the canister is not more than 2.5oz in weight, has a specific “WARNING” label printed upon it, and the spray is used solely for self-defense purposes (§ 22810 PC et seq.). Other self-defense weapons that have no restrictions include kubatons and personal alarm devices.