MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State Athletics will implement enhanced security screening at all home football and men’s and women’s basketball games beginning in 2017-18 in order to comply with the state’s concealed carry gun law as an exemption previously provided to universities expires today.
“This law has been in effect but universities had a four-year exemption to plan and put policies and procedures in place before the law affected the campuses,” said Casey Scott, senior associate athletics director for operations and event management. “That exemption expires on July 1, and we have made the decision that we will restrict weapons allowed into our athletics events in Bill Snyder Family Stadium and Bramlage Coliseum.”
As the department continues to provide a safe environment for all its fans, state law requires that in order to prohibit concealed carry on campus all public entrances must contain adequate security measures. K-State Athletics has purchased portable metal detectors to be installed at the public entrances to Bill Snyder Family Stadium beginning this football season and at Bramlage Coliseum for all men’s and women’s basketball games. In addition, appropriate armed officers and additional staff will be on hand to assist with the new equipment and screening procedures, as required by law.
Under state law, concealed carry may be restricted in areas where the university has established temporary adequate security measures (ASMs) or restricted access entrances.
The open carry of firearms on K-State campuses is not allowed. It is a violation of Kansas State University and Kansas Board of Regents policy to openly display any handgun in any campus building or on campus grounds. The only exceptions are for commissioned law enforcement officers and participants who use weapons as part of board-approved programs or university activities, with the advance written approval of the K-State Police Department.
K-State began the process of increasing its security procedures this past season with the implementation of a clear bag policy for all ticketed athletic events. A slight change in this policy will be applied in 2017-18 to increase the size of clutch bags allowed into athletics facilities to 5.5 inches by 7.5 inches. More information about K-State Athletics’ clear bag policy can be found at www.kstatesports.com/page/bagpolicy.
As the football season nears, K-State Athletics will provide more details regarding the security screening and tips for fans to prepare for the new measures.
