Restore Self Defense at CSU Pueblo

Students at CSU Pueblo deserve the right to protect themselves, yet current university policies prohibit essential non-lethal self-defense tools like pepper spray and stun guns. These restrictions leave students vulnerable and unable to defend themselves in emergencies.

Over 13% of college students experience stalking, assault, or other violent encounters while at school. When individuals have access to legal self-defense tools, their chances of escaping harm safely increase dramatically. Yet, CSU Pueblo’s policy creates unnecessary barriers to student safety, forcing students to rely solely on law enforcement, which may not be available in critical moments.

We demand that CSU Pueblo update its policies to explicitly allow pepper spray, pepper gel, and compact, non-projectile stun guns/tasers. Universities such as the University of North Florida, Indiana University, and SUNY Cobleskill have already taken this step to protect their students—CSU Pueblo should do the same.

We, the undersigned, call on Interim President Rico Munn and CSU Pueblo’s administration to revise this policy, remove unnecessary restrictions, and ensure no student faces disciplinary action for carrying non-lethal self-defense tools. Student safety cannot wait. Act now to protect your students before another preventable crime occurs.