JICI ©
WEAPONS  IN  SCHOOL

No student shall carry or possess a weapon or simulated weapon on school premises without authorization by a school administrator.  The Superintendent shall prescribe regulations for student possession of bows or firearms on District property for the purpose of the student's participation in a course of training in bows or firearms approved by the Governing Board and as authorized by Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 15-713, 15-714, and 15-714.01.  No student shall use or threaten to use a weapon or simulated weapon to disrupt any activity of the District.

Any employee who observes any person in possession of a weapon or simulated weapon on school premises shall immediately report the matter to the school administrator.  A school administrator who observes or receives a report of a student possessing a weapon on school premises shall immediately take appropriate safety and disciplinary actions in accordance with District policies and shall immediately report a violation of this policy to a peace officer, pursuant to A.R.S. 15-515, if the weapon is a deadly weapon or the student is a minor in possession of a firearm.

A student who violates this policy by carrying or possessing a firearm shall be placed in an alternative education program for a period of not less than one (1) year, suspended for a period of not less than one (1) year, or expelled and not be readmitted within a one (1)-year period, if ever.  The Governing Board, in its sole discretion, may modify the one (1)-year duration of such disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis.

A student who violates this policy by any means other than carrying or possessing a firearm shall be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to expulsion.  Disciplinary action against a student with one (1) or more disabilities shall be applied on a case-by-case basis in accordance with District policies and state and federal special education laws.

For the purposes of this policy:

A.  Weapon means any of the following:

1.  A firearm.

2.  A knife.

3.  A destructive device.

4.  A dangerous instrument.

B.  Simulated weapon means an instrument displayed or represented as a weapon.

C.  Firearm means any of the following:

1.  Any loaded or unloaded gun that will, that is designed to, or that may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.

2.  The frame or receiver of any such firearm.

3.  Any firearm muffler or silencer.

4.  Any explosive, incendiary, poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four (4) ounces, missile having an explosive charge of more than one-fourth (1/4) ounce, mine, or similar device.

5.  Any combination of parts that could be readily assembled to form a firearm.

D.  Destructive device means:

1.  Any device other than a firearm that will, or is designed to, or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by any means of propulsion, such as a BB/pellet gun, slingshot, bow, or crossbow.

2.  Any collection of parts that could be readily assembled to form a destructive device.

E.  Dangerous instrument means anything other than a firearm, knife, or destructive device that is carried or possessed by a student for the purpose of being used or being available for use to cause death or inflict serious physical injury.

F.  School premises means the school, school grounds, school buses, or any premises, grounds, or vehicles used for school purposes and includes premises where school-sponsored events (for example, athletic games and competitions, music competitions, et cetera) are held away from District property.

G.  Deadly weapon means any weapon designed for lethal use, including a firearm.

The governing board of an educational institution may not adopt or enforce any policy or rule that prohibits the lawful possession or carrying of a deadly weapon on a public right-of-way by a person or on or within a person's means of transportation.

"Public right-of-way," A.R.S. 13-2911(k)(5) means any highway, street, road, thoroughfare, path, alley or other right-of-way that is publicly accessible and that is established and maintained by this state or a political subdivision of this state.  Public right-of-way does not include property of an educational institution.

Adopted:  September 27, 2016

LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
13-2911
13-3102
13-3111
15-341
15-342
15-515
15-713
15-714
15-714.01
15-841
15-843
20 U.S.C. 7151 et seq., The Gun-Free School Act of 1990

CROSS REF.:
JI - Student Rights and Responsibilities
JIC - Student Conduct
JIH - Interrogations, Searches, and Arrests
JK - Student Discipline
JKD - Student Suspension
JKE - Expulsion of Students