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.
- 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.
- Destructive devices include, but are not limited to, explosives, bombs, grenades, or other similar devices.
- This policy shall not apply to law enforcement personnel who carry a firearm while engaged in their official duties.
- 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