( CNN ) -- Two Gonzaga University students could be suspended or even expelled after using a handgun to defend themselves from an intruder in their university-owned apartment , an act which the university says violates the school 's weapons policy . Gonzaga University , a private , four-year university in Spokane , Washington , says the students violated the school 's weapons policy by having firearms in their apartment , which is in a complex near the campus . On the night of October 24 , students Erik Fagan and Daniel McIntosh were in their apartment when there was a knock on the door . Fagan told CNN affiliate KXLY in Spokane that he opened the door and a stranger , who said he 'd just gotten out of jail , asked for $ 15 . Fagan told KXLY he offered the man a blanket and a can of food , but `` did n't feel comfortable '' giving the man money because he was a stranger . `` My gut instinct was telling me I was n't going to be able to get that door closed before he came through , '' Fagan told KXLY . As the man started coming through the door , Fagan said , he yelled for his roommate , Daniel McIntosh . McIntosh said he came to the door with his pistol drawn , and the students said the man turned and ran away . Because the apartments are owned by Gonzaga , both police and campus security responded when Fagan and McIntosh called 911 . According to the Gonzaga 's Executive Vice President Earl Martin , all university housing is patrolled at regular intervals by campus security , though this particular apartment complex is n't gated and secured key cards or codes are n't required for entrance . A short while after the incident , police captured the man , whom they identified as a six-time convicted felon . At about 2 a.m. , campus security officers returned to Fagan and McIntosh 's apartment and confiscated a pistol and a shotgun from the apartment . Dean Chuang , attorney for Fagan and McIntosh , said the shotgun is owned by Fagan , who uses it to hunt periodically , and it was n't used in the incident . He added that the pistol that was used in the incident belonged to McIntosh , and was a gift to him from his grandfather several years ago . McIntosh has a state-issued permit to carry a concealed handgun , Chuang said . In Washington state , gun owners are not required to register their weapons . In a disciplinary board hearing on Friday , the board , made up of three faculty members and two students , found Fagan and McIntosh guilty of two infractions -- possessing weapons on school grounds and putting others in danger by the use of weapons , according to Chuang . Chuang told CNN the students expect to hear later this week what disciplinary action will be taken by the board . Fagan and McIntosh both face suspension or expulsion . Both are seniors and have exemplary records , Chuang said . Meantime , Fagan and McIntosh have asked university security to return their firearms , but that has n't yet happened . According to Chuang , one of the students had never lived in campus housing and was unaware of the school 's weapons policy . The other , he said , was aware of the policy but did n't think it applied to him because the apartment is n't on campus . `` They had the right to defend themselves and others , regardless of what the policy says , '' Chuang told CNN . Though the university could n't talk about specifics of this case due to privacy laws , Martin said , `` I 'm not aware of other instances like this in particular . '' The policy , which is on the university 's official website , states that weapons , which includes firearms , are prohibited `` at any location on campus , or within University residences . '' In a statement released Saturday by university President Thayne McCulloh , there have been calls for a re-examination of the university 's policies relating to firearms . McCulloh said in the release he believes this is an opportunity for the university community to objectively re-examine the policy and `` openly debate perspectives and contextual issues . '' McCulloh 's statement said he has asked the Vice President for Student Development to work with several campus organizations to `` facilitate a campus dialogue focused on this issue . '' Meantime , he added , the current student handbook and code of conduct remain in effect . Louisiana kidnap victim 's cousin kicks down door , shoots and kills abductor . CNN 's Rick Martin and Jackie Castillo contributed to this story .
Gonzaga University says students could be kicked out for violating the school 's weapons policy . Erik Fagan and Daniel McIntosh used a pistol to scare away a convicted felon from their apartment . The apartment is not on campus but is owned by the university . In a disciplinary hearing , the students were found guilty of two infractions of school policy , their attorney said .