Policy: 4210

Section: 4000 - Community Relations

Title: Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Premises

Status: Active

Adopted: November 23, 1993

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Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Premises

It is a violation of district policy and state law for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on school premises, school-provided transportation or areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities.

All school facilities will be posted with “Gun-Free Zone” signs, and all violations of this policy and RCW 9.41.280 will be reported annually to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The following persons may carry firearms into school buildings, as necessary, although students engaged in these activities are restricted to the possession of rifles on school premises:

1. Persons engaged in military, law enforcement, or school district security activities;
2. Persons involved in a school authorized convention, showing, demonstration, lecture or firearm safety course;
3. Persons competing in school authorized firearm or air gun competitions; and
4. Any federal, state or local law enforcement officer.

The following persons over eighteen years of age and not enrolled as students may have firearms in their possession on school property outside of school buildings:

1. Persons with concealed weapons permits issued pursuant to RCW 9.41.070 who are picking up or dropping off students; and
2. Persons conducting legitimate business at the school and in lawful possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon if the weapon is secured within an attended vehicle, is unloaded and secured in a vehicle, or is concealed from view in a locked, unattended vehicle.

Persons may bring dangerous weapons, other than firearms, onto school premises if the weapons are lawfully within the person's possession and are to be used in a school-authorized martial arts class.

Persons over eighteen years of age, and persons between fourteen and eighteen years of age with written parental or guardian permission, may possess personal protection spray devices on school property. No one under eighteen years of age may deliver such devices. No one eighteen years or older may deliver a spray device to anyone under fourteen, or to anyone between fourteen and eighteen who does not have parental/guardian permission.

Personal protection spray devices may not be used other than in self-defense as defined by state law. Possession, transmission or use of personal protection spray devices under any other circumstances is a violation of district policy.

School officials will promptly notify the student’s parents or guardians and the appropriate law enforcement agency of known or suspected violations of this policy. Students who violate this policy will be subject to discipline, including a one-year expulsion for a violation involving a firearm. However, the superintendent may modify the one-year expulsion on a case-by-case basis.

 

Cross References: 

Policy 3240                     Student Conduct

Policy 3241                     Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment

Policy 4260                     Use of School Facilities

 

Legal References: 

RCW 9.41.280                 Dangerous weapons on facilities—Penalty— Exceptions

RCW 9.91.160                 Personal Protection Spray devices

RCW 9A.16.020               Use of force — when lawful

RCW 28A.600.420           Firearms on school premises,transportation, or facilities — Penalty — Exemptions

 

Management Resources:

 Policy News,August 2006 Weapons on School Premises

 Policy News, August 1998 State Encourages Modification of Weapons Policy

 Policy News, October 1997 Legislature also addresses“look-alike” firearms

 

 

Adoption Date: 11.23.93

Ferndale School District

Revised: 09.26.95; 01.28.99; 11.26.13