Many in the WSC community believe that stun guns and mace are prohibited on campus.

But that isn’t correct.

The Wayne State College student handbook, under the general policies section, reads: “WSC prohibits all persons who enter College property from carrying, possessing or using firearms, fireworks, explosives or any lethal weapon on campus or any type of item designed to cause injury or death.”

Nebraska has no laws against the use of stun guns and mace, meaning anyone in the public can carry them without a permit, and neither of these are considered lethal weapons in the eyes of the college.

A stun gun is not a traditional gun; it is a battery-powered and handheld device that sends a non-lethal electric shock into the assailant.
Pepper spray is also extremely effective at stopping an opponent because it doesn’t depend solely on the pain to stop an assailant.

According to a guide provided online by the counseling center, “A Free Guide to Women’s Self Defense and Self Protection,” pepper spray causes an assailant to be momentarily blinded and causes their bronchial tubes to get restricted, resulting in a lot of coughing and choking, also making it non-lethal.

Although both these options are very effective, there are other ways to feel safe on campus.

The guide mentioned above has many resources for self-defense and ways to prevent getting attacked, like martial arts defense moves and how helpful the use of alarms and whistles are.

Campus security manager Jason Mrsny explained the different ways students can use other practices besides a stun gun or mace.

“The college has a self-defense program that students can take instead of carrying a stun gun or mace, and if you still want to carry, then get training on how to use them,” Mrsny said.

It is recommended that students who feel unsafe on campus take self-defense classes. If you still feel the need to own and carry a stun gun or mace, it is important to know how to properly use them.

“The problem with stun guns is you have to be close to the other person, and it is easy for them to take it from you,” Mrsny said.

If someone feels unsafe on campus, security provides an evening escort program that helps students get around campus safely.

These services applies to key locations on campus, like the library or the dorms, but are restricted to the college, unless special arrangements have been approved by the director of security.These services applies to key locations on campus, like the library or the dorms, but are restricted to the college, unless special arrangements have been approved by the director of security.

“We’ve had people that work until late at night at Walmart in Norfolk, and they call campus security and we will walk them to their door,” Mrsny said.

To contact campus security for this service, call 402-375-7216.

The blue light emergency phones are another option if you feel unsafe. They are located in several parking lots across campus and are activated by pressing a button. When pressed, they will instantly connect with campus security or the Wayne Police Department.