4210: 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 except as defined below. Dangerous weapons include but are not limited to firearms, slung shots, sand clubs, metal knuckles, daggers, dirks, spring blade knives, nun-chu-ka sticks, throwing stars, air guns, stun guns, and devices intended to injure a person by an electric shock.

The restriction above does not apply to:

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;
4. Any federal, state or local law enforcement officer;
5. Any person in possession of a pistol who has been issued a license or is exempt from the licensing requirement by RCW 9.41.060, while picking up or dropping off a student;
6. Any nonstudent at least eighteen years of age legally in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon that is secured within an attended vehicle or concealed from view within a locked unattended vehicle while conducting legitimate business at the school; or
7. Persons possessing weapons to be used in martial arts classes authorized to be conducted on the school premises.

Personal Protection Spray

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 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.

Violations of This 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.

Gun Free Zone Signs

The superintendent will ensure that all school facilities post “Gun-Free Zone” signs and that all violations of this policy and RCW 9.41.280 are reported annually to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Cross References

• Board Policy 3240 Student Conduct
• Board Policy 3241 Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment

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