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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Judge rejects UI gun challenge

MOSCOW, Idaho – A state judge ruled Thursday in favor of the University of Idaho in a lawsuit challenging the school’s restrictions on keeping firearms in on-campus housing.

The ruling was handed down by 2nd District Judge John Stegner in a case brought by second-year law student Aaron Tribble. He filed his lawsuit in January, claiming that the university’s ban on firearms at his on-campus apartment infringed on his constitutional rights.

University attorneys said that Tribble agreed to waive certain rights when he entered into an agreement to live on campus – an argument that the judge agreed with, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News reported. The judge wrote the state Board of Regents has a right to regulate and maintain a safe environment on campus.

University officials issued a response saying they were pleased with the decision.

“It affirms our position that the university does have the legal authority to regulate firearms on campus, including in university-owned student residences. Our firearms policy has been part of the faculty/staff and student handbooks since the mid-1970s,” the university said.

Tribble represented himself in the case and claimed that he should be allowed to keep guns and ammunition at his residence in a campus housing complex for students who are married and have children. He argued that the university policy on firearms violated his inalienable right to “enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing and protecting property; pursuing happiness and securing safety” as stated in the Idaho Constitution.

After filing the lawsuit earlier this year, Tribble voluntary entered into a new housing contract to remain at his on-campus residence for another year, said school attorneys, who also emphasized that students are not required to live on campus and Tribble could have secured housing elsewhere in Moscow.