Students

5131.8-BP

 

WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS, DEVICES AND MATERIALS

 

The Constitution of the State of California and the Board of Education recognize that students and staff have the right to a safe and secure school environment in which to learn and work. To that end, it is the policy of the Board of Education that no person shall possess, carry or transport any weapon or dangerous instrument, device or material either on his/her person or in any vehicle under his/her control while on the premises of any district building; on grounds operated by the district; in any vehicle operated by the district; or on any premises, public or private, where school-sponsored or school-related activities are being held and one or more students or staff are present. The sole exceptions to these prohibitions are: 1) duly sworn peace officers whose certification and conditions of employment permit possession of weapons on school campuses, and 2) those persons who have been granted prior authorization, in writing, by the superintendent or designee to possess weapons or dangerous instruments, devices or materials. In cases where written permission to possess a weapon or dangerous instrument, device or material is granted, the permit shall indicate the specific weapon(s) or dangerous instrument(s), device(s) or material(s) authorized, the conditions for possession, the purpose for issuing the permit, and the duration for which the permit shall be valid. All permits for possession of weapons or dangerous instruments, devices or materials shall be approved by the superintendent or designee with the consent and knowledge of those primary site administrator(s) whose responsibilities may be affected by the granting of the permit.

Prohibited weapons and dangerous instruments, devices and materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  1. Firearms: Pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles, "zip guns," or any other instrument or device capable of propelling a projectile by explosive or chemical means
  2. Gas/Air Devices: Air pistols, air rifles, gas pistols, gas rifles, paint pistols, paint rifles or any other instrument or device capable of propelling a projectile by means of compressed air or gas
  3. Mechanical Devices: Bows, crossbows, slingshots, blowguns or any other instrument or device capable of propelling a projectile by mechanical means
  4. Cutting and Puncturing Devices: Knives (regardless of size or type), dirks, daggers, swords, machetes, straight razors, razor blades, skewers or any other instrument or device that can be used for cutting or puncturing
  5. Explosives and Incendiary Materials: Bombs, live munitions, commercial explosives, blasting caps, firecrackers of all types (including "sparklers"), "caps" (as used in cap guns and related toys), flammable liquids, flammable gases or any other explosive or incendiary device or material that is capable of causing injury or harm to others, or that is capable of threatening the safety or structural integrity of facilities used by students, staff or visitors
  6. Chemicals: Tear gas, pepper spray, mace, poisons, hazardous or noxious gases, acids or any other device or material which is capable of causing injury or harm to others by chemical means (NOTE: Licenses for carrying mace or pepper spray do not supersede this prohibition.)
  7. Martial Arts Devices: Nunchakus, throwing stars or any other instrument or device used in the practice of the martial arts
  8. Electronic Devices: Stun guns, tasers or any other instrument or device capable of causing injury or harm to others by electronic means
  9. Other Dangerous Instruments, Devices and Materials: Other instruments, devices and materials which meet all of the following tests:

1)      The instrument, device or material is capable of causing injury or harm to others

2)      The instrument, device or material has no practical, school-related reason to be in the person's possession either at the time when it is discovered, or in the location where it is discovered, or both

3)      Prior written permission to possess the instrument, device or material has not been granted by the superintendent, principal or their designees

4)      It reasonably appears to the superintendent, principal or their designees that the presence of the instrument, device or material constitutes a threat to the safety of students, staff or property

Students who are found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the district on the first offense, in accordance with administrative regulations and state law.

Students and non-students who are found to be in violation of both this policy and State law shall be subject to criminal prosecution on the first offense.

Possession, on campuses or at school-sponsored or school-related events, of objects or devices that simulate any weapon, instrument, device or material prohibited in this policy shall be considered inherently disruptive to the peaceful conduct of school business. Students who are found to be in possession of such "look alike" objects or devices may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion form the district, in accordance with administrative regulations and State law.

Any person who comes onto school grounds or who attends a school-sponsored or school-related function may be subject to search of his/her person or possessions, including vehicles, if there is a reasonable articulable suspicion, based on reliable information, that the individual may be in possession of a weapon or other dangerous instrument.

 

 

Legal Reference:

Penal Code

Section 626.9

Loaded firearms on school grounds

Cross Reference:

 

Section 626.10

Dirks, daggers, knives, razors on school grounds

 

 

Section 653k

Switchblades

 

 

Section 12020, et seq.

Concealed weapons, firearms

 

 

Section 12303.2

Explosives

 

 

Section 12403.8

Tear gas

 

 

Section 12650

Stun guns

 

Education Code

Section 48915

Expulsion recommendations

 

Policy adopted:

5/23/83

Policy revised:

5/29/84

Policy revised:

9/28/93