Student Weapon Storage

The purpose of this policy is to provide directions and guidance in the receipt, storage and returning of weapons voluntarily stored by UW-Platteville students at the UW-Platteville Police Department.

Policy: Student Weapon Storage 

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: N/A

Issue Date: July 18, 2020

Reviewed Date: April 8, 2026

Revised Date: April 8, 2026

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to provide directions and guidance in the receipt, storage and returning of weapons voluntarily stored by UW-Platteville students at the UW-Platteville Police Department.

Policy:

Wis. Stat. §941.235(1) reads, “Any person who goes armed with a firearm in any building owned or leased by the state or any political subdivision of the state is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.”

Additionally, UWS §18.10 (3)(a) states that, “No person may carry, possess or use any dangerous weapon on university lands or in university buildings or facilities, except with the written approval of the chief administrative officer or for law enforcement purposes.”  

In an effort to permit students the ability to enjoy various outdoor activities while living and studying on our campus, UW-Platteville Police Department will securely store legally possessed weapons for UW-Platteville students. 

Definitions:

1. Weapons:  Defined as but not limited to rifles, shotguns, handguns, bows, paintball guns, and other legal instruments which would be considered dangerous weapons under the statutes referenced above.

Procedures:

1. Only currently enrolled students at UW-Platteville may store personally owned weapons at the UW-Platteville Police Department. 
   1. Students will be able to store or pick up their weapon 24 hours a day, depending upon officer availability.  Students will be informed to call (608) 342-1584 to make arrangements with the on-duty officer.
   2. Students will be instructed to transport the weapon to the University Police parking lot by vehicle.  During normal business hours, the student will then bring the cased weapon to the University Police Department, meeting the on-duty police officer, or his/her designee, in the lobby.  After normal business hours, the student will meet the on-duty police officer, or his/her designee at the NE entrance of Royce Hall, with the cased weapon. 
   3. Students must have photo identification to drop off or retrieve weapons.
   4. Students may have a maximum of two weapons, with corresponding ammunition, in Student Weapon Storage at one time. 
      1. Exceptions may be granted in atypical situations. 
      2. Request for exceptions must be submitted to University Police Command Staff. 
         1. Students must receive authorization to exceed the two-weapon maximum, PRIOR to bringing more than two weapons for storage.
   5. If the owner of the weapon is not registered for summer session, weapons need to be retrieved by the end of spring semester. 
      1. Exceptions may be granted on an individual need basis.
      2. Request for exceptions must be submitted to University Police Command Staff at least 2 weeks before the end of the semester. 
2. An individual requesting storage of a weapon should bring the weapon to UW-Platteville Police Department in the following manner:
   1. Firearms
      1. All firearms must be cased and unloaded with the action locked open.
      2. All firearms must have an installed trigger lock provided by the student.  A firearm equipped with an integrated trigger locking feature fulfills this requirement.
      3. Ammunition will also be accepted for storage. 
         1. Ammunition must be cased separately from the firearm. 
         2. A maximum of 100 rounds, for each firearm will be accepted for storage.
            1. Ammunition must be in an ammo can, small duffle type bag, nylon tool bag, or similar closeable container with handle.
            2. Loose boxes, plastic bags, or similar containers will not be accepted.
   2. Other weapons
      1. Other weapons (bows, paintball guns, etc.) must be cased and unloaded.
      2. Ammunition for non-firearm sporting weapons will also be accepted for storage. 
         1. Ammunition must be cased separately from the weapon. 
            1. A maximum of 1 box of ammunition for each weapon will be accepted for storage.
            2. Ammunition must be in an ammo can, small duffle type bag, nylon tool bag, or similar closeable container with handle.
            3. Loose boxes, plastic bags, or similar containers will not be accepted.
         2. Arrows must be in a case.
            1. One case per bow is allowed.
3. Student Weapon Storage Application
   1. The Student Weapon Storage Application will be completed the first time a student drops off a sporting weapon
   2. Once completed, the student will be provided a photocopy of the application, upon request, for their records.
   3. The original Student Weapon Storage Application will be kept in a binder in the office area of the Police Department.
4. After the paperwork is completed, a ID tag will be created to identify the owner and type of sporting weapon and will be affixed to the exterior case.  The property can then be secured in the storage area.
5. Any sporting weapons may be secured in the storage area outside of its case to prevent corrosion if requested by the owner. 
6. All paperwork will be completed in the main lobby area of the Police Department.  The student will not accompany the officer to the storage area to retrieve their sporting weapon.
7. The individual will sign the sporting weapon in and out of storage using the table on their original copy of the Student Sporting Weapon Storage Application located in the binder.
8. Individuals picking up sporting weapons must not be under the influence of intoxicants in any way or have any alcohol in their system to sign the sporting weapon out.  If the releasing officer detects an odor of intoxicants, a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) may be used to determine the presence of alcohol.
9. Individuals picking up and dropping off sporting weapons will be told to immediately leave campus property once they assume possession of the sporting weapon.
10. Abandoned Sporting Weapons

1. If a sporting weapon has not been checked out of storage for six months or more, contact will be made with the owner to determine if a need still exists for storage.
2. If the owner of the sporting weapon is no longer a student, the procedures outlined in sub. K will be followed.
3. If the owner is unresponsive to attempts at initial contact, a certified letter will be sent to the owner giving them an additional 30 days to advice of the need to maintain storage or to claim their property. 
4. If the sporting weapon is still unclaimed after 30 days, it will be disposed of in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes.
5. If the sporting weapon is unclaimed and disposed of, the above actions will be documented in an incident report.

11. Owner No Longer a Student

1. If the owner of a sporting weapon stored at the police department no longer has student status at UW-Platteville (due to graduation, dismissal, withdrawal, etc.), the sporting weapon must be claimed immediately.
2. Owners without student status who have not claimed their sporting weapons will be contacted via certified mail to retrieve their property within 30 days. 
3. If the sporting weapon is still unclaimed after 30 days, it will be disposed of in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes.
4. If the sporting weapon is unclaimed and disposed of, the above actions will be documented in an incident report.