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We, the undersigned, urge the University of Massachusetts Lowell to amend its weapons policy to allow students to carry pepper spray for self-defense on campus. The city of Lowell has experienced significant increases in violent crime in recent years. In 2022 alone, Lowell’s crime rate was higher than 72.5% of U.S. cities, marking a 23% rise in violent crime from the previous year. The city saw multiple instances of serious offenses, including six homicides, underscoring the need for accessible self-defense tools on campus.
Pepper spray is a proven, non-lethal self-defense tool that can deter attackers and give potential victims critical seconds to escape a dangerous situation. For many students, especially women, the ability to carry pepper spray is a straightforward but impactful measure to enhance personal safety. While campus security is dedicated to protecting students, campus police cannot be everywhere at once, especially in moments of immediate danger. Self-defense is a fundamental right, and students should not have to sacrifice their ability to protect themselves due to restrictive campus policies.
UMass Lowell’s current weapons policy prohibits the possession of firearms and other weapons on campus, and this restriction also extends to non-lethal self-defense tools like pepper spray. This blanket prohibition leaves students more vulnerable, ignoring the realities of the risks they face.
We call on Chancellor Julie Chen to take immediate action to revise the university’s policies and allow students to carry pepper spray on campus. By making this change, UMass Lowell will empower its students to take control of their own safety and affirm its commitment to their well-being in a real and practical way. This is about protecting lives and ensuring that every member of the UMass Lowell community has the security to defend themselves.
We, the undersigned, urge the University of Massachusetts Lowell to amend its weapons policy to allow students to carry pepper spray for self-defense on campus. The city of Lowell has experienced significant increases in violent crime in recent years. In 2022 alone, Lowell's crime rate was higher than 72.5% of U.S. cities, marking a 23% rise in violent crime from the previous year. The city saw multiple instances of serious offenses, including six homicides, underscoring the need for accessible self-defense tools on campus. Pepper spray is a proven, non-lethal self-defense tool that can deter attackers and give potential victims critical seconds to escape a dangerous situation. For many students, especially women, the ability to carry pepper spray is a straightforward but impactful measure to enhance personal safety. While campus security is dedicated to protecting students, campus police cannot be everywhere at once, especially in moments of immediate danger. Self-defense is a fundamental right, and students should not have to sacrifice their ability to protect themselves due to restrictive campus policies. UMass Lowell’s current weapons policy prohibits the possession of firearms and other weapons on campus, and this restriction also extends to non-lethal self-defense tools like pepper spray. This blanket prohibition leaves students more vulnerable, ignoring the realities of the risks they face. We call on Chancellor Julie Chen to take immediate action to revise the university’s policies and allow students to carry pepper spray on campus. By making this change, UMass Lowell will empower its students to take control of their own safety and affirm its commitment to their well-being in a real and practical way. This is about protecting lives and ensuring that every member of the UMass Lowell community has the security to defend themselves.