Weapons ban at the LMU - but the President does not want any entry controls

Created: 11/29/2022, 7:51 p.m

By: Dominik Göttler, Wolfgang Hauskrecht

"I'm so glad nothing worse happened": LMU President Bernd Huber on the incident in the Audimax at the beginning of November.

© Markus Goetzfried

Weapons will be taboo at the Ludwig Maximilian University in the future.

After an incident in the Audimax, the university amended its house rules.

LMU President Bernd Huber explains the decision.

Munich – A student at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University goes to the lecture with a blank pistol – and quite legally.

The incident three weeks ago has caused unrest among the student body and university staff.

Other universities have already reacted, and now the LMU Munich has also changed its house rules.

President Prof. Dr.

dr

Bernd Huber explains what is changing for the students - and why his university hesitated longer than other universities.

What was your first thought when you found out about the incident in the Audimax?

Huber:

I was very happy that nothing worse happened.

Panic could have broken out.

The Audimax was full, that would have been terrible.

I was relieved that everyone involved reacted so quickly and calmly.

Was there a follow-up discussion with the student?

Huber:

The head of our real estate department wanted to talk to the student.

However, he didn't show up for the lecture the next day and then received a letter.

Weapons incident at the LMU: Student faces no consequences from the university

Does the university threaten him with consequences?

Huber:

No, not from our side.

But possibly from the public prosecutor's office or the competent district office.

But that has to be decided there.

also read

Munich benefits from checkout errors at Aldi – and proudly presents its loot

Munich gets upset on Twitter about paperwork with the authorities – and gets an answer from the IT boss

How was the mood among the students after the incident?

Huber:

At first there was great uncertainty.

For me too, I went straight to the main building as soon as I found out about the police operation to get a personal picture of the situation.

After that, we received feedback from both students and lecturers, who were very worried.

I can understand that it was a stressful experience.

The incident makes it clear that the idea of ​​a free, open university, which is valued by everyone and where thousands of people go in and out every day, is unfortunately also very fragile.

Were there other incidents of this kind at the LMU?

Huber:

No.

I've been President for 20 years now, thank God I've never experienced that.

This was completely new territory for us.

There are some universities, Erlangen for example, that already have a gun ban.

Many universities, including us, didn't have that.

Because we were previously of the opinion that the weapons law in force in Germany was completely sufficient here.

Just the thought of guns at the university was relatively absurd for me.

LMU introduces official gun ban

What conclusions do you now draw from this incident?

Huber:

In the last few weeks we have had many discussions and examined legal issues.

Finally, the extended university management met on Monday evening.

Basically, we quickly agreed that we wanted to have a gun ban at the university.

Incidentally, this wish also came from the individual faculties.

We have changed our house rules accordingly.

These updated house rules are effective immediately and have already been published on our website.

What did you change?

Huber:

We are going beyond the gun law and have now introduced a general gun ban.

This means that even those who have a gun license are no longer allowed to bring a weapon to the university.

Legally and in terms of content, it was not that easy because you have to regulate exceptions.

If, for example, the Federal President is a guest at the LMU, then we can hardly forbid his bodyguards to carry a weapon.

Then there are, for example, special questions about chemicals that are needed in research and teaching.

And the second question is of course: How do you implement such a ban in practice?

Are students now threatened with admission controls?

Huber:

No.

The university is an open place and should remain so.

We don't want admission controls under any circumstances.

That would fundamentally change the character of our university.

Even if internationally, by the way, it is not a matter of course that everyone has free access to the university.

But we want to keep it that way.

We have had a security service for this for a long time, which can now also carry out checks to check whether the gun ban at the LMU is being observed.

I believe and hope, however, that this incident will remain an isolated case.

If students are carrying weapons, the police will be notified immediately

What threatens students in case of violations?

Huber:

If someone is openly carrying a firearm, we will inform the police immediately.

That's how it was in this case.

If you are unsure, the security service can also ask if you can take a look in your pocket.

In principle, there is the possibility of issuing house bans in the event of violations.

Is pepper spray allowed for self-protection?

Huber:

Yes, as long as the customary inscription "To protect against animals" is on it.

Incidentally, precisely because of such detailed questions, it took a little longer to add to our house rules.

It's now three weeks since the incident.

There were protests and criticism from the student body that the university management ducked away.

Other universities like TUM reacted immediately.

Why did it take so long at the LMU?

Huber:

At the TUM, the university management reportedly announced a ban on its own accord.

We chose a different path: we didn't want to enact it from above, but rather discuss it with the extended university management after a thorough legal examination.

The deans of the faculties are there, students and academic and non-academic employees - and the university management.

We are a very heterogeneous university with 18 faculties and over 50,000 students, so it was important for us to include everyone in this decision-making process.

Were you surprised that the students immediately protested loudly?

Huber:

No, I can understand that.

Also that a quick solution was desired here.

But we weren't that far apart on that point.

It might have taken a little too long for some.

But I believe that we have found a very good solution and have already implemented it.

And the fact that students and university management rub against each other is part of it.

You have to endure that as President.

Regular, free of charge and always up-to-date: We put together all the news and stories from Munich and deliver them to you free of charge by e

.

Sign up now!