Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township
Bylaws & Policies
 

4217 - WEAPONS

The Board prohibits educational support personnel from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting that is under the control and supervision of the District for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the District including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the District, a school-sponsored event, or in a District vehicle; provided, however, that educational support personnel is not prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition that is locked in the trunk of the educational support personnel's vehicle, kept in the glove compartment of the educational support personnel's locked vehicle, or stored out of plain sight in the educational support personnel's locked vehicle.

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. 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 term "weapon" means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, intended to be used, or represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health or 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 (bombs, incendiary, grenade, Molotov cocktail, 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)

The Superintendent will report an employee who violates this policy to law enforcement officials. The educational support personnel also will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination for violation of this policy.

This prohibition does not apply to weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel, as well as a School Resource Officer or other school security personnel who is not a law enforcement officer, but who may legally possess a firearm.

Exceptions to this policy include:

 

A.

items approved by a principal as part of a class or individual presentation under adult supervision, if used for the purpose of and in the manner approved; (Working firearms and ammunition shall never be approved.)

 
 

B.

theatrical props used in appropriate settings;

 
 

C.

starter pistols used in appropriate school related sporting events.

Educational support personnel must report knowledge of dangerous weapons and/or threats of violence by students, educational support personnel, or visitors to the principal. Failure to report such information may subject the educational support personnel to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

I.C. 20-33-9-1 et seq.
I.C. 34-28-7-2
I.C. 35-47-5-2.5
I.C. 35-47-9

Revised 4/12/11
Revised 12/9/14

© Neola 2014