Policy 5131.7 - Weapons and Dangerous Objects

Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

The Board of Education recognizes that students and staff have the right to a safe and secure campus free from psychological and physical harm and desires to protect them from the dangers presented by firearms and other weapons.

Possession of Weapons

The Board prohibits any student from possessing weapons, imitation firearms, or other dangerous instruments, as defined in law and administrative regulation, in school buildings, on school grounds or buses, at school-related or school-sponsored activities away from school, or while going to or coming from school.

Under the power granted to the Board to protect the safety of students, staff, and others on district property and to maintain order and discipline in the schools, any school employee is authorized to confiscate any prohibited weapon, imitation firearm, or dangerous instrument from any student on school grounds.

Unless he/she has obtained prior written permission as specified below, a student possessing or threatening others with any weapon, dangerous instrument, or imitation firearm shall be subject to suspension and/or expulsion in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulations.

The principal or designee shall notify law enforcement authorities when any student possesses a firearm, explosive, or other prohibited weapon or dangerous instrument without permission, sells or furnishes a firearm, or commits any act of assault with a firearm or other weapon.

Advance Permission for Possession of a Weapon for Educational Use

The parent/guardian of a student who desires to possess a firearm, imitation firearm, or other prohibited weapon on school grounds for an educational purpose shall, at least five school days in advance of the planned possession, submit a written request to the principal which explains the planned use of the weapon and the duration. The student shall also submit a written explanation from the staff person responsible for the schoolsponsored activity or class.

The principal may grant permission for such possession when he/she determines that it is necessary for a school-sponsored activity or class or as part of the educational program. Factors that shall be considered include, but are not limited to, the planned use of the weapon, the duration and location of the planned use, whether an audience is expected, and any perceived adverse effects to the safety and well-being of students or staff. If the principal grants such permission, he/she shall provide the student and staff person with a written explanation regarding any limitations and the permissible duration of the student's possession.

When the principal or designee grants permission, he/she shall take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all persons on school grounds, including, but not limited to, inspecting a firearm to verify that no live ammunition is present. Any weapon allowed shall be stored in a locked vehicle or in an appropriate, locked container before and after its authorized use.

A student granted permission to possess a weapon may be suspended and/or expelled if he/she possesses or uses the weapon inappropriately.

Possession of Pepper Spray

To prevent potential misuse that may harm students or staff, students are prohibited from carrying tear gas or tear gas weapons such as pepper spray on campus or at school activities.

Reporting of Dangerous Objects

The Board encourages students to promptly report the presence of weapons, injurious objects, or other suspicious activity to school authorities. The identity of a student who reports such activity shall remain confidential to the extent permitted by law.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies designed to facilitate student reporting of the presence of injurious objects on school grounds, such as tip hotlines, electronic transmissions, or other methods that preserve the student's anonymity. Incident reports and records shall not identify the student who reported the possession. The Superintendent or designee also shall inform staff, students, and parents/guardians that students who report the presence of injurious objects on school campuses are to be protected and their identity shielded.

Rule 5131.7

Prohibited weapons and dangerous instruments include, but are not limited to:

1. Firearms: pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles, "zip guns," "stun guns," tasers, and any other device capable of propelling a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion
2. Ammunition or reloaded ammunition
3. Knives, razor blades, and box cutters: any dirks, daggers, ice picks, or other weapons with a fixed, sharpened blade fitted primarily for stabbing, weapons with a blade fitted primarily for stabbing, weapons with a blade longer than 2-1/2 inches, folding knives with a blade that locks into place, and razors with an unguarded blade
4. Explosive and/or incendiary devices: pipe bombs, time bombs, cap guns, containers of inflammable fluids, and other hazardous devices
5. Any instrument that expels a metallic projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, carbon dioxide pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun
6. Any other dangerous device, instrument, or weapon, including those defined in Penal Code 12020, including a blackjack, slingshot, billy, nunchaku, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, or any metal plate with three or more radiating points with one or more sharp edges designed for use as a weapon
7. Any imitation firearm, defined as a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm

Any employee may take any weapon or dangerous instrument from the personal possession of a student while the student is on school premises or under the authority of the district.

In determining whether to take possession of the weapon or dangerous instrument, the employee shall use his/her own judgment as to the dangerousness of the situation and, based upon this analysis, shall do one of the following:

1. Confiscate the object and deliver it to the principal immediately
2. Immediately notify the principal, who shall take appropriate action
3. Immediately notify the local law enforcement agency and the principal

When informing the principal about the possession of a weapon or dangerous instrument, the employee shall report the name(s) of persons involved, witnesses, location, and the circumstances of the possession.

The principal shall report any possession of a weapon or dangerous instrument to the student's parents/guardians by telephone or in person, and shall follow this notification with a letter.

The employee shall retain possession of the instrument until the risk of its use as a weapon has dissipated or, upon the request of the student's parent/guardian, until the parent/guardian appears and personally takes possession.