A staff member or student who has reason to believe that a person on school property or at a school-related activity possesses or will possess a weapon shall report the possession to the school principal or the supervisor of the activity. The report should include as much detail as possible concerning the person possessing the weapon, the type of weapon, location of the person, and the evidence the belief is based upon.

No student is to confront the person possessing the weapon, but a staff member has the option of confronting the person if the staff member believes the risk of injury to self or others is minimal or if immediate action is necessary to prevent probable injury to any person.

A principal or activity supervisor receiving a report of weapons possession shall have the option of conducting a search for the weapon in accordance with AG 5771, Search and Seizure, or contacting the Sheriff's Department for assistance.

Any interaction with the person should have as its primary objective the safety and welfare of the people in the area rather than the possession of the weapon.

For purposes of this guideline, a weapon is defined as "any instrument capable or appearing to be capable of causing serious bodily injury to a person" including, but not limited to, loaded or unloaded firearms, pellet guns, b-b guns, inoperable replica firearms, knives, stun guns, and chemical agents such as tear gas or pepper gas.

Since Policy 5772 includes as weapons such actions as bomb threats, reporting false fire alarms, or other dangerous conditions, a staff member or student should also report such actions or the possibility of such actions to the principal or activity supervisor.

Approved 2/28/94