FILE:  JCDAB

Cf:  JCAB, JDD, JDE

DANGEROUS WEAPONS

The St. Landry Parish School Board shall authorize the principal of each school to automatically suspend, and recommend expulsion for, any student found in possession of a dangerous weapon on the school grounds, on school buses and/or at any school-sponsored event, at any time, during or after regular school hours, with limited exception as permitted by state law.

Although small chemical dispensing devices sold commercially for personal protection, such as those dispensing mace, pepper spray, or Capstun, are considered weapons under this policy, the St. Landry Parish School Board may permit such devices under certain circumstances.  If a student needs to carry a chemical dispensing device for defensive purposes outside of the school setting, the parents of the student shall be required to register the device with the principal’s office in advance of the student bringing the device to school.  Whenever the device is in the student’s possession, the student shall be required to check the device into the school office immediately upon arrival at school.  The student may pick up the device upon leaving school.

Any student found to be in possession of a chemical dispensing device that has not been registered with the principal shall be in violation of School Board policy and disciplined accordingly, up to and including expulsion.

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.

Dangerous weapon means any gas, liquid, or other substance or instrumentality, which in the manner used, is likely to produce death or great bodily harm.  When the student is found in possession of a weapon, the Superintendent shall be immediately notified and the principal shall take appropriate disciplinary action.

Firearm means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, blackpowder 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.

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, wherein the possession of firearms is prohibited, except as specifically set forth in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.2 and 14:95.6.  The School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the Louisiana Department of Education, shall designate and mark firearm-free zones which surround all schools and school property.

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, 4-6-17, 9-2-21

St. Landry Parish School Board