FILE: JCDAC
Cf: JDE
DANGEROUS WEAPONS AND FIREARMS
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board emphasize the need for all principals and staff to be aware of the provisions of Louisiana laws regarding dangerous weapons and firearms on school campuses. The School Board authorizes the principal of each school to automatically suspend, and recommend expulsion for, any student found in possession of a firearm or a dangerous weapon on the school grounds, on school buses and/or at any school-sponsored event in a specific designated area including but not limited to athletic competitions, dances, parties or any extracurricular activities, or in a firearm-free zone at any time within one thousand feet of any school campus, during or after regular school hours, with limited exception.
If a student is detained for carrying, or the principal or designee confiscates or seizes a firearm or concealed dangerous weapon from a student while on school property, on a school bus, or at a school function, the principal or school official shall immediately report the detention of the student or seizure of the firearm or weapon to the police department or sheriff's office where the school is located and shall deliver any firearm or weapon seized to that agency.
The failure of any principal or designated administrator to report the confiscation of such implement or material or the failure to retain and secure such implement or material may result in a misdemeanor. When a principal or designated administrator violates any provisions of this policy, a report on such violations shall be made by the complainant to the Superintendent. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct a hearing on the alleged offense.
If a student is detained for carrying a concealed weapon on campus, the principal shall immediately notify the student's parents or legal guardian.
Dangerous weapon as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:2 means any gas, liquid, or other substance or instrumentality, which in the manner used, is likely to produce death or great bodily harm. In addition, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95 includes as dangerous weapons any switchblade knife, spring knife, or other knife or similar instrument having a blade which may be automatically unfolded or extended from a handle by the manipulation of a button, switch, latch, or similar contrivance located on the handle.
When the student is found in possession of a dangerous weapon, the Superintendent shall be immediately notified, and the principal shall take appropriate disciplinary action.
Firearm as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.1(D) means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, black powder weapon, or assault rifle that is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
IMITATION OR TOY WEAPONS
Any object in the form of a weapon or gun, whether it be an imitation, facsimile, or a toy, shall be banned from all school campuses, buses, and all school activities. The uninvited presence of an imitation, facsimile, or toy on school campuses may cause confusion, fear, and disruption to the academic goals and educational process. Any student violating this policy may be suspended as determined by the principal.
FIREARM-FREE ZONES
It is unlawful for a student or nonstudent to intentionally possess a firearm or dangerous weapon on school property at a school sponsored function or within 1000 feet of school property or while on a school bus at any time. The area surrounding the school campus or within 1000 feet of any such school campus, or within a school bus shall be designated firearm-free zones. The School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the State Department of Education, shall designate and mark firearm-free zones which surround all schools and school property.
Revised: September 16, 2021
Ref: 20 USC 7961 (Gun-Free Requirements)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:2, 14:95, 14:95.2, 14:95.6, 17:416, 17:416.3, 32:292.1
Board minutes, 9-16-21
East Baton Rouge Parish School Board