Students: Weapons Safekeeping
Tennessee Law (TCA 39-17-1309) and University Policy prohibits anyone other than on duty police officers from possessing firearms on campus. Vanderbilt University also does not permit storage of recreational sporting/hunting equipment such as Archery equipment inside the residential facilities on campus. Vanderbilt Police Department provides students with a lawful means of storage on campus, for firearms and other sporting/hunting equipment.
How do I store my firearm and or sporting/hunting equipment with VPD?
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Vanderbilt Police Department does not store ammunition. Additionally, it is a violation of University policy to store ammunition on campus. Weapons must be transported in a carrying case from the vehicle, to the inside of the Vanderbilt Police building, and then back to the vehicle. Archery equipment must be stored in a protective case, and all arrow tips must be removed from the arrows prior to storage. Before a firearm can be stored, Federal law requires a computerized query to verify that the firearm is not stolen or wanted in connection with a crime. Federal law also requires that the same process be repeated before the firearm is released from the police department back to the owner. Additionally, federal law mandates that a criminal history query be conducted on the person the police department returns a firearm to. Federal and State laws govern who may, or may not legally possess a firearm. Criminal charges or convictions that arise while the firearm is in police storage may prevent the return of the firearm. References: Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-13; 18 U.S.C. 922(g) and (n); 27 CFR 478.32
How do I pick up my stored equipment?
You may pick up your equipment from police storage anytime. An appointment is required to process the return of the items to you. The appointment can be scheduled by calling the police department Record’s office (615) 343-5371 between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday - Friday. All equipment released after normal business hours and on weekends, requires advance coordination which must be conducted during business hours. Before a firearm is picked up, a computerized stolen/wanted record’s check will be conducted on the weapon's serial number. A criminal history record query will also be completed on the recipient to ensure the firearm is not released to a person who cannot legally possess a firearm in the state of Tennessee. Bring your storage receipt, your Vanderbilt photo ID, and your driver's license when you come to pick up your equipment.
How long can I leave my equipment with Vanderbilt Police Department?
Vanderbilt Police Department offers firearm and sporting/hunting equipment storage for currently enrolled students for the duration of the semester in which it is checked-in. The equipment will need to be picked-up at the end of each semester. If the student is en-rolled the next consecutive semester, the storage agreement may be renewed.
Questions? Contact us.
Vanderbilt Police Department / Records Unit
2800 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 343-5371
How do I store my firearm and or sporting/hunting equipment with VPD?
- Before you can store an item with Vanderbilt Police Department, a storage form shall be filled out and presented in person to the Records Unit during business hours. DOWNLOAD STORAGE FORM >
- Once all documentation is completed, bring your sporting equipment, unloaded and secured inside a carrying case, to the lobby of the Vanderbilt Police Department Central Precinct building at 2800 Vanderbilt Place.
- You will need your Vanderbilt photo ID and driver's license.
- After business hours, utilize the lobby phone to contact the communication’s office to request an officer to assist you with the check in process.
- A computerized records check will be conducted on the serial number of all firearms to confirm that they are not stolen.
- You will be given a copy of the Storage form as your receipt.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Vanderbilt Police Department does not store ammunition. Additionally, it is a violation of University policy to store ammunition on campus. Weapons must be transported in a carrying case from the vehicle, to the inside of the Vanderbilt Police building, and then back to the vehicle. Archery equipment must be stored in a protective case, and all arrow tips must be removed from the arrows prior to storage. Before a firearm can be stored, Federal law requires a computerized query to verify that the firearm is not stolen or wanted in connection with a crime. Federal law also requires that the same process be repeated before the firearm is released from the police department back to the owner. Additionally, federal law mandates that a criminal history query be conducted on the person the police department returns a firearm to. Federal and State laws govern who may, or may not legally possess a firearm. Criminal charges or convictions that arise while the firearm is in police storage may prevent the return of the firearm. References: Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-13; 18 U.S.C. 922(g) and (n); 27 CFR 478.32
How do I pick up my stored equipment?
You may pick up your equipment from police storage anytime. An appointment is required to process the return of the items to you. The appointment can be scheduled by calling the police department Record’s office (615) 343-5371 between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday - Friday. All equipment released after normal business hours and on weekends, requires advance coordination which must be conducted during business hours. Before a firearm is picked up, a computerized stolen/wanted record’s check will be conducted on the weapon's serial number. A criminal history record query will also be completed on the recipient to ensure the firearm is not released to a person who cannot legally possess a firearm in the state of Tennessee. Bring your storage receipt, your Vanderbilt photo ID, and your driver's license when you come to pick up your equipment.
How long can I leave my equipment with Vanderbilt Police Department?
Vanderbilt Police Department offers firearm and sporting/hunting equipment storage for currently enrolled students for the duration of the semester in which it is checked-in. The equipment will need to be picked-up at the end of each semester. If the student is en-rolled the next consecutive semester, the storage agreement may be renewed.
Questions? Contact us.
Vanderbilt Police Department / Records Unit
2800 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 343-5371
