Facing public ire over the threatened expulsion of two Gonzaga University students who used a legally-owned hand gun to fend off an alleged attacker, the school intends to reexamine its strict policies about weapons in university-owned off-campus housing, the college president said in a statement Saturday.

“There have been calls for a re-examination of the University’s policies relating to firearms,” said Thayne M. McCulloh, Gonzaga’s president. “As a Jesuit institution dedicated to the thoughtful evaluation of complex social issues, I believe this to be an opportunity to do some important work, as a community: to objectively re-examine our firearms policy and openly debate perspectives and contextual issues with an eye towards an honest and open review of the same.”

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Two Gonzaga University students — Erik Fagan and his roommate Dan Mcintosh — face expulsion from the Spokane, Washington school after brandishing a gun when John Taylor showed up at their doorstep demanding money, according to the Spokane Spokesman. Taylor, a six-time convicted felon who had been recently released from jail, allegedly started to work his way into their apartment when Fagan yelled for his roommate to come with a gun. Taylor fled and was subsequently arrested.

At 2 a.m. the next day, campus security raided their home and seized the students’ weapons — the handgun and a hunting shotgun — all of which were legally permitted. university, which has a strict no-gun policy. The two have subsequently reported the weapons as stolen. The students were served with hearing notices and face violations of the Student Code of Conduct, which could result in expulsion.