430P - Possession of Firearms

Any student who has brought a firearm on school property or to a school-sponsored activity shall be expelled from school attendance for a period of not less than one year (365 calendar days). School staff members, students, parents, and others with knowledge shall report to the principal of the school or his/her designee all information related to suspected violations of the policy related to weapons in school. The principal shall report any violation of this policy to the superintendent or his/her designee and to local law enforcement.  
 
Another disciplinary action or term of exclusion may be taken by the school board following an examination of the particular facts of a violation of this policy.  
  1. Firearm is defined as any weapon, including a starter gun, that will, or is designed or may readily be converted to, expel a single projectile or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of combustible material; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; or any unloaded firearm in a closed container. Firearm does not include any pneumatic gun which is any implement, designed as a gun that will expel a BB or a pellet by action of pneumatic pressure. Pneumatic gun includes a paintball gun that expels by action of pneumatic pressure plastic balls filled with paint for the purpose of marking the point of impact.  

  2. Destructive devices include, but are not limited to, explosives, bombs, grenades, or other similar devices.  

  3. This policy shall not apply to law enforcement personnel who carry a firearm while engaged in their official duties.  

  4. This policy does apply to all school-sponsored and non-school activities on school grounds. The possession of a firearm on school grounds is prohibited by any and all persons except law enforcement personnel as described in item #3.
The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee is permitted to give authority to possess a firearm on school property only to persons expressly authorized by statute to possess a firearm on school property.

Legal Reference(s):  
Code of Virginia, Section(s) 22.1-277, 22.1-277.06, 22.1-277.07, 22.1-280.2:4, 18.2-308.1  

Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, Part F


Adopted: September 18, 1995  
Amended: February 20, 1996  
Amended: August 19, 1996  
Amended: December 16, 2003  
Amended: September 3, 2013
Amended: June 16, 2020