Prohibition of Weapons on School Grounds

The possession of firearms and or other weapon on school property, while on any school provided transportation, on a roadway or path along which school children or teachers are walking to school, or at any school-related function, is prohibited.

A weapon includes a firearm or a blackjack, slingshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, slap glove, bludgeon, stun-gun, any of the so called "Kung-Fu" weapons, dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword-in-cane, bowie knife, or other similar weapon designed to cut and stab another, or any razor, or knife of any description having a blade of more than three (3) inches in length measuring from the end of the handle where the blade is attached to the end of the blade, or other weapon of like kind or description.

This prohibition shall not apply when firearms or other weapons are used as part of school-sanctioned activities such as training courses, theatrical events, athletic programs or events, academic programs or military/police related training programs.

Neither shall this prohibition apply to any individual, as defined in § 12-7-21 "Peace officer" defined. or military personnel while on active duty.

This policy is consistent with the requirements of Department of Health and Department of Education regulations concerning School Health Programs as well as the statutory Right To A Safe School.

LEGAL REFERENCES:

§ 11-47-60. Possession of firearms on school grounds. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-47/11-47-60.HTM

§ 16-21-23. School safety teams, school crisis response teams, and school safety assessments. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-21/16-21-23.HTM

§ 16-21-23.1. Model school safety plans and checklists – Development and dissemination. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-21/16-21-23.1.HTM

§ 16-2-17. Right to a safe school. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-2/16-2-17.HTM

§ 16-21-24. Requirements of school safety plans, school emergency response plans, and school crisis response plans. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-21/16-21-24.HTM

§ 16-21-25. Review of school safety plans – Exemption from open meetings and public records requirements. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-21/16-21-25.HTM

§ 16-21-33. Safe schools act. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-21/16-21-33.HTM

§ 12-7-21. "Peace officer" defined. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE12/12-7/12-7-21.HTM

§ 16-2-9. General powers and duties of school committees. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-2/16-2-9.HTM

(a) The entire care, control, and management of all public school interests of the several cities and towns shall be vested in the school committees of the several cities and towns. School committees shall have, in addition to those enumerated in this title, the following powers and duties:

(b) To develop education policies to meet the needs of the community.

ADOPTED: September 17, 2018