This policy applies to "visitors" meaning persons who come onto property or a vehicle owned by the Corporation or used by the Corporation for school purposes. The term includes members of the general public, students enrolled in other schools or school corporations, and employees of entities providing services to the Corporation, but does not include Corporation employees covered by Policy 1617, Policy 3217, or Policy 4217 or currently enrolled students covered by Policy 5772.

The Board prohibits visitors from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon other than a firearm 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. This prohibition does not apply to weapons under the control of a law enforcement officer.

The term "weapon" means an object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, tasers, handguns, stun guns, guns of any type, 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 (bomb, incendiary device, grenade, Molotov cocktail, or rocket, with a propellant charge of more than four (4) ounces, etc.). A "knife" is defined as "an instrument that: 1) consists of a sharp edge 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)

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. As used in this policy and as defined by Indiana law, "firearm" means any weapon that is capable of expelling, designed to expel, or that may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosion. However, State law permits a person who may legally 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 Superintendent will report a visitor who violates this policy to law enforcement officials and is authorized to take any steps necessary to exclude the visitor from Corporation property and Corporation sponsored events.

If authorized by the Board, exceptions will be permitted for:

I.C. 34-28-7-2;
I.C. 35-47-1-5
I.C. 35-47-5-2.5;
I.C. 35-47-9;
20 U.S.C. 7151