JICI, Weapons in School

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The Board of Education determines that student possession, use and/or threatened use of a weapon is detrimental to the welfare and safety of the students and school personnel within the district.

Dangerous weapons

Using, possessing or threatening to use a dangerous weapon on district property, when being transported in vehicles dispatched by the district or one of its schools, during a schoolsponsored or district-sponsored activity or event, and off school property when the conduct has a reasonable connection to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event without the authorization of the school or the school district is prohibited. An exception to this policy may be made for students participating in an authorized extracurricular activity or team involving the use of firearms.

As used in this policy, "dangerous weapon" means:

1. A firearm, as defined in Section 921 of Title 18, U.S.C., the “Gun-Free Schools Act,” including: a)  any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (b) the frame or receiver of any weapon described above; (c) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (d) any destructive device.  A “destructive device,” as defined by Section 921 of Title 18, U.S.C., is: (a) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, including a bomb; grenade; rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces; missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce; mine; or device similar to the devices described in paragraphs 1-5 of this sub-paragraph a; (b) any type of weapon which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter; and (c) any combination or parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in sub-paragraphs a and b and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled.
2. Any pellet, BB gun or other device, whether operational or not, designed to propel projectiles by spring action or compressed air.
3. A fixed blade knife with a blade that exceeds three inches in length.
4. A spring-loaded knife or a pocket knife with a blade exceeding three and one-half inches in length.
5. Any object, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, that is used or intended to be used to inflict death or serious bodily injury including, but not limited to, a slingshot, bludgeon, nunchucks, brass knuckles or artificial knuckles of any kind.

Students who use, possess or threaten to use a dangerous weapon in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Board policy concerning student suspensions, expulsions and other disciplinary interventions.

In accordance with federal law, expulsion shall be mandatory for no less than one full calendar year for a student who is determined to have brought a firearm to or possessed a firearm at school in violation of this policy. The superintendent may modify the length of this federal requirement for expulsion on a case-by-case basis. Such modification shall be in writing.

Firearm facsimiles

Carrying, using, actively displaying or threatening with the use of a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm on district property, when being transported in vehicles dispatched by the district or one of its schools, during a school-sponsored or districtsponsored activity or event, and off school property when such conduct has a reasonable connection to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event without the authorization of the school or school district is prohibited. Students who violate this policy provision may be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with Board policy concerning student suspensions, expulsions and other disciplinary interventions.

A student may seek prior authorization from the building principal to carry, bring, use or possess a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm on school property for purposes of a school-related or non-school related activity. A student's failure to obtain such prior authorization is a violation of this policy provision and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with Board policy concerning student suspensions, expulsions and other disciplinary interventions. The principal's decision to deny or permit a student to carry, bring, use or possess a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm on school property shall be final.

School administrators shall consider violations of this policy provision on a case-by-case basis to determine whether suspension, expulsion or any other disciplinary action is appropriate based upon the individual facts and circumstances involved.

Local restrictions

The Board of Education determines that extra precautions are important and necessary to provide for student safety. Therefore, the using, possessing or threatening to use any knife, regardless of the length of the blade, on district property, when being transported in vehicles dispatched by the district or one of its schools, during a school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or event, and off school property when the conduct has a reasonable connection to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event without authorization of the school or school district is prohibited. Students who violate this policy provision may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Board policy concerning student suspensions, expulsions and other disciplinary interventions.

Recordkeeping

The district shall maintain records which describe the circumstances involving expulsions of students who bring weapons to school including the name of the school, the number of students expelled and the types of weapons involved as required by law.

Referral to law enforcement

In accordance with applicable law, school personnel shall refer any student who brings a firearm or weapon to school without authorization of the school or the school district to law enforcement.

Current practice codified 1988
Adopted July 13, 1988
Revised August 17, 1988
Revised May 5, 1993
Revised October 6, 1993
Revised November 2, 1994
Revised February 7, 1995
Revised August 7, 1996
Revised July 8, 1998
Revised June 4, 2008(CASB-Jul)
Revised April 21, 2010
Revised August 18, 2010
Revised November 14, 2012
Revised September 18, 2013
Revised June 25, 2020

Legal References

18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3)(Federal definition of "firearm")
20 U.S.C. 7151 (Gun‑Free Schools Act)
20 U.S.C. 7151 (h) (requiring schools to have policies requiring referral to law enforcement)
C.R.S. 22‑32‑109.1(2)(a)(I)(G) (policy required as part of safe schools plan)
C.R.S. 22-33-102 (4) (definition of dangerous weapon)
C.R.S. 22‑33‑106 (1) (grounds for suspension, expulsion, denial of admission)
C.R.S. 22-33-106 (1)(f) (must adopt policy regarding firearm facsimiles)

Cross References

JK-2, Discipline of Students with Disabilities
JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students
KFA, Public Conduct on School District Property or at School Activities