FAYETTEVILLE — A University of Arkansas student accidentally shot himself in the hand Friday afternoon at the KUAF radio station, according to police.
University Lt. Matt Mills said the student was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center.
“The story we’re getting is that he showed it to a friend and that’s when it discharged,” Mills said.
University police went to the station, 9 S. School Ave., about 12:30 p.m. for a report of a gunshot victim.
The station is off-campus, across the street from the Fayetteville Public Library.
Fayetteville police assisted in the investigation.
Mills said the student, whom he declined to identify, works at the station part time.
KUAF is a National Public Radio affiliate broadcast from the university.
Rick Stockdale, station manager, said the student was enrolled in a work study program and hired last week.
“He acted as a receptionist,” Stockdale said. “He worked at the front desk and greeted people.”
Mills said the gun was a Taurus Judge, which is a five-shot revolver. He said the student brought the gun to work in his book bag.
Arkansas law prohibits possession of handguns on campus or in any campus building. Those found in violation could face up to six years in the Department of Community Correction and a fine of up to $2,500.
“We’ll forward all the information we get to the prosecutor’s office and see if they issue a warrant,” Mills said.
Stockdale said he doesn’t know why the student brought the gun to work. He said the radio station never closed Friday, but many people went home early.
“The people who were here were pretty shaken up,” he said. “It was one of those deals where people heard the gun go off and they heard him yelling. A lot of people were thinking, ‘What if I had been standing next to him?’ It was a bad idea for him to have the gun, and it’s sad that an accident took place.”
Scott Flanagin, spokesman for the Division of Student Affairs, said it’s against the school’s policy to possess a firearm on campus.
Students found in violation of the policy, he said, are subject to sanctions “relative to the severity of the offense.”
“With alcohol or drug offenses, there’s a matrix or guideline of sanctions,” he said. “But with something like that, there’s no specific punishment.”
Flanagin said complaints or reports of misconduct are sent to the Office of Student Standards and Conduct.
“I’ve never heard of a student who actually had a gun on campus, other than one incident years ago,” he said. “I’ve heard anecdotes over the years of students who are hunters that accidentally left their rifle or gun in their car, but nothing like what I heard today.”
In 2000, English professor John Locke was killed in his Kimpel Hall office on campus by a former graduate student who then shot and killed himself.
The House Committee on Education will soon discuss House Bill 1243 that would allow “trained and licensed staff and faculty to carry a concealed handgun” on campuses “under certain circumstances.” The bill, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, is similar to legislation Collins introduced in 2010 that died in committee during the 88th General Assembly.
Members of the Residents Interhall Congress, a group that develops policies on campus, recently passed a resolution in support of Collins’ plan but voted against the idea of allowing weapons for students.
A university professor this week organized an effort called “Arkansas Against Guns on Campus,” propelled by 1,400 petition signatures.
The Associated Student Government will vote Tuesday on three measures dealing with gun control on campus including a bill to maintain a gun-free campus.