Weapons Policy

The purpose of this policy is to describe the types of weapons prohibited by the College, outline circumstances in which exceptions may be authorized and identify reporting obligations and resources available to the Rhode Island School of Design ("RISD") community.

This policy applies to all RISD students, faculty, staff and visitors.

• Prohibited Weapon: any object or substance used, or that could be used, to inflict a wound, cause injury, kill, or incapacitate, including but not limited to (1) all firearms, including guns, pistols, blank guns, machine guns, air rifles, zip guns, stun guns and tasers, slingshots, pellet and BB guns; (2) instruments commonly known as billy clubs, metal knuckles, bludgeons, and “Kung-Fu” weapons; (3) switchblade knives, bowie knives, and any knife not listed in the exceptions below; (4) explosives, fireworks, and firecrackers, unless otherwise sanctioned by a RISD sponsored event, (5) and dangerous chemicals such as tear gas and mace, not including permitted and legal disabling chemical spray repellents used for self-defense; and (6) instruments that launch projectiles, and ammunition relating to the above.
• RISD Property: includes (1) all RISD campus locations, (2) RISD-owned or leased property, including all grounds, parking areas, structures, and buildings, lockers, offices, and workspaces; (2) any location at which RISD, its employees, staff, faculty, students, or vendors participate as part of a RISD activity; (3) the off-campus activities of student groups and organizations recognized by RISD; and (4) any motor vehicle on RISD property, regardless of whether it is personally owned or leased by the school.

RISD is committed to maintaining an environment in which all individuals, including students, employees, vendors, and visitors, feel safe to conduct their daily routines of work and study.

RISD specifically prohibits the possession, transfer, use and/or distribution of weapons by any faculty or staff member, student, or visitor while on the campus or in the vicinity of RISD-owned or controlled property, whether or not the owner is licensed to carry such weapon. This ban includes keeping a weapon or transporting it to another location. With the exception of members of the Department of Public Safety, employees are prohibited from carrying a weapon while performing services for the college on or off college premises. Other law enforcement professionals must have the permission of RISD Public Safety to carry weapons on campus.

Weapons may include, but are not limited to, guns, ammunition, knives, explosives, crossbows, swords, common martial arts training weapons including nunchaku, staffs and bows, or similar items with the potential to inflict physical harm. Disarmed weapons and simulated weapons, including replicas, which could reasonably cause apprehension, are also prohibited.

As it relates to the weapons listed in this policy, members of the RISD community in possession of such items have no reasonable expectation of privacy and may be subject to a security search.

Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy include, but are not limited to, X-ACTO knives, palette knives, metalsmithing tools, saws, hammers, laser cutters, blow torches and other tools, chemicals and solvents used in RISD shops under the supervision of qualified instructors and technicians for the production of works of art and design relevant to a specific course of study. Please review the Spray of Applied Materials (Adhesives, Paint, Finishes, Fixatives) Policy under Related Policies.

This policy does not apply to permitted and legal disabling chemical spray repellents when used for self-defense. Disabling chemical sprays are not permitted in the residence halls.

Questions concerning whether a particular object is covered by this policy may be submitted to the Director of Public Safety or their designee at pubsafe@risd.edu, whose determination shall be final. This policy does not apply to other law enforcement agencies. Approval of such uses must be obtained in advance from the official supervising the organization or sponsoring the activity, who shall consult with the Director of Public Safety or their designee.

Community Responsibilities

As a community, all RISD members have a duty to report to Public Safety those individuals who are or may be in possession of a weapon on RISD property. A report should also be made to Public Safety if an individual on RISD property notices an unattended item that is reasonably believed by the individual to be a weapon. All reports of such observations must be promptly made to RISD Public Safety at 401-454-6666.

Policy Sanctions

RISD reserves the right to review alleged violations of this policy in conjunction with other appropriate offices and under other applicable College policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements, including but not limited to those listed under Related Policies. Failure to comply with this policy and other Related Policies is subject to disciplinary action and sanctions per applicable disciplinary procedures.

Students found in possession of unlicensed or illegal weapons at any location may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, and/or criminal proceedings will be taken against any individual who violates this policy. Students found in violation of the state of Rhode Island’s weapons laws are subject to prosecution by local authorities as well as referral to the Code of Student Conduct Administrator. Students are cautioned that weapons are not allowed in residence halls. The RISD Residence Life Policies also list any realistic toy or model of such items, even if otherwise permitted by law, among prohibited items. Students are further reminded that the housing contract clearly states that the College, at its discretion, may enter and search any room and its contents at any time without an appointment, including personal possessions, to ensure compliance with all applicable policies.

• Corrective Action Policy
• Code of Student Conduct
• Spray of Applied Materials (Adhesives, Paint, Finishes, Fixatives) Policy

This policy was created on: 11/15/2022

This policy was last reviewed/modified on: 11/11/2025

Next scheduled review: 11/16/2026

Issuing Office

Public Safety

Responsible Officer

Vice President, Campus Services

Vice President, Student Life

Individuals/offices required for review and changes

Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration

Associate Dean, Students

Office of the General Counsel

Director, Public Safety

Director, Student Conduct and Community Standards