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4210 - Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Premises

Unless specifically authorized by this policy, it is a violation of District Regulation for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on district property or, school-provided transportation or areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities. This prohibition applies to any facility owned, rented, or leased by the District. If the District leases or rents part of a property for District use, firearms and dangerous weapons are prohibited on any portion of the premises where the district has the right of exclusive use.

Carrying a dangerous weapon onto school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities in violation of RCW 9.41.280 is also a criminal offense. It is the policy of this District that the presence of firearms and other dangerous weapons in the workplace or educational environment is to be minimized as much as possible. As such, the following activities are prohibited by this policy regardless of whether such possession would violate state law, and regardless of whether the weapon is secured in a vehicle or possessed by a person with a concealed weapons permit:

  1. No District employee may bring any firearm or dangerous weapon onto any District property without prior authorization of the Superintendent.
  2.  No person or entity renting, leasing, or otherwise being granted the right to temporary use of District-owned property may possess, or allow its guests to possess, firearms or dangerous weapons on District-owned property.

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

A dangerous weapon is defined as but not limited to:

  1. Any firearm;
  2. RCW 9.41.250 defined dangerous weapons including such weapons as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
  3. Any device commonly known as “nun-chu-ka sticks”, consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected with wire, rope, or other means except as used in martial arts classes authorized to be conducted on the school premises;
  4. Any device, commonly known as “throwing stars”, which are multi-pointed, metal objects designed to embed upon impact from any aspect except as used in martial arts classes authorized to be conducted on the school premises; or
  5. Any air gun, including any air pistol or air rifle, designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide, or other gas.

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. Pursuant to RCW 9.41.050, no one may lawfully possess a loaded handgun in a vehicle unless the person has a valid concealed pistol permit.

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. A copy of the written parent/guardian permission must be submitted and on file with the building administration prior to any spray device being carried on school property. No one under eighteen years of age may deliver such devices, nor may anyone eighteen years or older 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 Regulation.

School officials shall notify the student’s parents or guardians and the appropriate law enforcement agency of known or suspected violations of this Regulation. Students who violate this Regulation shall 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.

Adopted:

4/30/1996

Last Revised:

1/16/2021

Cross References:

Regulation:

  • RCW 9.41.280 Dangerous weapons on school grounds
  • RCW 9A.16.020 Use of force — when lawful
  • RCW 9.91.160 Personal Protection Spray devices
  • 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 Regulation
  • Policy News, October 1997 Legislature also addresses “look-alike” firearms