5772- WEAPONS
Except for a person who legally may possess a firearm and has been authorized by the School Board to carry a firearm in or on School Corporation property, the Board prohibits students from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting that is under the control and supervision of the Corporation for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the Corporation including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the Corporation, a school-sponsored event, or in a Corporation vehicle.
Generally, the possession of a firearm in or on school property, in or on property that is being used by a school for a school function, or on a school bus is a felony (I.C. 35-47-9-2) and is prohibited by Board policy. However, State law permits a person who legally may possess a firearm to maintain that firearm if it is locked in the person's trunk, kept in the glove compartment of the person's locked vehicle, or stored out of plain sight in the person's locked vehicle. This exception does not apply to students unless it is a high school student who is a member of a shooting sports team and the principal has approved the student keeping a firearm concealed in the student's motor vehicle on days the student is competing or practicing as a member of a shooting sports team. This exception also does not apply to former students if the person is no longer enrolled in school due to a disciplinary action within the previous twenty-four (24) months.
The term "weapon" means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, intended to be used, or represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage or endangering the health or safety of persons. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, tasers, handguns, stun guns, guns of any type whatsoever, including air and gas-powered guns (whether loaded or unloaded), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, chemical weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and destructive devices (such as bombs, incendiary devices, grenades, Molotov cocktails, rockets with a propellant charge of more than four (4) ounces, etc.). A "knife" is defined as "an instrument that: 1) consists of a sharp-edged or sharp-pointed blade capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds; and 2) is intended to be used as a weapon." (I.C. 35-47-5-2.5(a))
This policy also prohibits possession of look-alike items that could be mistaken for weapons, false fire alarms, false bomb threats, intentional calls to falsely report a dangerous condition, and similar conduct.
The Superintendent shall report any student who violates this policy to the student’s parents or guardians and to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the property where the offense occurs. The student also may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.
Exceptions to this policy include:
- items approved by a principal as part of a class or individual presentation under adult supervision, if used for the purpose of and in the manner approved (working firearms and ammunition shall never be approved);
- theatrical props used in appropriate settings;
- starter pistols used in appropriate school-related sporting events;
- weapons possessed and/or used by students enrolled in the Corporation's Junior ROTC Program while under the direct supervision of District staff members.
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