Gun Rights Groups Launch Investigation into Public University and Sports Team Firearm Policies

SACRAMENTO (September 1, 2016) – Following news media reports that University of Missouri head football coach Barry Odom enforces a total ban on gun ownership against all of his team’s student-athletes, civil rights organizations Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and Firearms Policy Foundation (FPF) have launched a joint investigation into the firearm policies of numerous public universities and their sports teams.

The groups’ investigation began yesterday when the Firearms Policy Foundation sent a request for public records to the University of Missouri, asking for (among other records) copies of “all records that are, relate, refer to” the “current policies and practices of any University sports program” on firearm acquisition, possession, carry, storage, or transfer by law-abiding students.

Brandon Combs, president of FPC and chairman of the Foundation, said that “policies that ban law-abiding people from exercising their fundamental, individual civil rights should be forcefully opposed in every instance.”

“Any policy that makes law-abiding students choose between participation in school programs and the lawful exercise of their civil rights should be quickly discarded by the school – or litigated, if that’s what it takes.”

The civil rights groups are also requesting firearm policy records from many other public universities, including those with men’s football coaches who have expressed anti-gun policies similar to that reported of Odom.

“We look forward to reviewing the firearm-related policies of public universities and using every available option to remedy any constitutional or statutory conflicts we find,” concluded Combs.

Firearms Policy Foundation (www.firearmsfoundation.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. FPF’s mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the People’s rights, privileges and immunities deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition, especially the inalienable, fundamental, and individual right to keep and bear arms.

 Firearms Policy Coalition (www.firearmspolicy.org) is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization. FPC’s mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, especially the fundamental, individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.