Campus Carry in Massachusetts 

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. FURTHER, READERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING ALL THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT FOR THEMSELVES AND SHOULD SPEAK WITH A COMPETENT ATTORNEY IN THEIR STATE. 

Are there differences between private and public colleges and universities? 

No. Under Section 10 of the Massachusetts General Laws, colleges and universities can have the officer in charge of the institution issue permission for students to carry firearms. 

What can students do to appeal for their Second Amendment rights if they are on an unfriendly campus? 

Students should reach out to their university officials in hopes of influencing policy changes that allow for a shall issue system for students requesting to carry a firearm on campus, or they could also reach out to the state legislature in hopes of legal changes that enforce the right to carry on campus. 

What would the penalty be if a student is found with a weapon on campus grounds? 

A student could be charged up to $1000 and face imprisonment of 2 years for violating Massachusetts General Laws Section 10, as well as other punishments under university policy. 

For campuses who would allow campus carry but are prevented from doing so by their state law, what are some things the university can do to aid students? 

The university can change their policy to a shall issue system to give written permission for students to carry upon immediate request or seek legal changes under the state law to remove permission requirements.