6427

Weapons and Dangerous Instruments/sUBSTANCES

6427

No student, pre-kindergarten-12, shall possess, handle, or transmit any weapon, facsimile of a weapon, dangerous instruments, substances or other object that can reasonably be considered or used as a weapon or dangerous instrument. This does not apply to any student who finds a weapon or dangerous instrument on school property or receives it from another person on school property and who immediately reports the weapon or dangerous instrument to school or law enforcement authorities.

For the purpose of the Code of Student Conduct the following definitions apply:

(1)

Weapon: any firearm, BB gun, stun gun, mace/pepper spray, air rifle, air pistol, ammunition, power loads, fireworks, knife, slingshot, leaded cane, blackjack, metallic knuckles, razors, razor blades (except cartridge razors used solely for personal shaving), boxcutter and any sharp-pointed or edged instrument except instructional supplies, unaltered nail files and clips and tools used solely for preparation of food, instruction, and maintenance.

(2)

Dangerous Instruments/Substances: Any object or substance that is possessed, handled, transmitted, or used for the purpose of causing or attempting to cause physical injury.

(3)

Facsimile of a Weapon: any copy of a weapon that could reasonably be perceived to be a real weapon.

(4)

Firearm: any gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, starter pistol, firearm silencer, or part thereof, or any powerful explosive, including dynamite, nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene, blasting cap, or any firearm or destructive device defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921 or G.S. 14-269.2 (b) and (g).

6427.1

Except in cases involving a firearm, the first violation of this policy by students in grades 6-12 shall result in a short-term or long-term suspension for the remainder of the school year.

6427.2

Except in cases involving a firearm, a second violation of this policy by a student during a school year in grades 6-12 shall result in long-term suspension from the school system for the remainder of the school year or expulsion.

6427.3

Any student in grades K-12 shall be suspended for 365 calendar days for bringing a firearm or explosive device onto school property or to a school-sponsored event off school property, or for possessing a firearm or explosive or explosive device on school property or at a school-sponsored event off school property. Principals are required to refer to the law enforcement system any student who brings a firearm or weapon to school.

School property includes any property owned, used or leased by the Board of Education, including school buses, other vehicles and school bus stops.

The 365-day suspension does not apply to any student who finds the firearm on school property or receives it from another person on school property and who delivers the weapon, immediately, to school or law enforcement authorities.

6427.4

Any student 14 years of age or older who possesses, handles, or transmits a firearm on school property may be expelled.

6427.5

Any weapon, dangerous instruments, or substances used in a threatening or dangerous manner by a student in grades 6-12 shall result in at least a long-term suspension and may result in suspension for 365 days or expulsion where permitted by law.

6427.6

Any student who has knowledge that another student possesses or intends to bring a firearm on any school campus or to any school activity shall report this information to school or law enforcement authorities immediately.

Legal Reference: G.S. 14-269.2, G.S.115C-391, G.S. 14-269.7, and G.S. 14-315

Adopted: May 4, 1981

Revised: July 8, 1987

Revised: May 20, 1991

Revised: January 19, 1993

Revised: May 17, 1993

Revised: July 25, 1995

Revised: November 8, 1995

Revised: May 17, 1999

Revised: May 8, 2000

Revised: May 30, 2001

Revised: May 21, 2002

Revised: May 6, 2003

Revised: March 6, 2007

Revised: March 18, 2008