4210 – Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on NWESD 189 Premises
Unless specifically authorized by this policy, it is a violation of NWESD 189 policy for any person to knowingly carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on NWESD 189 property, cooperative-provided transportation, or other facilities being used exclusively for cooperative programs and/or activities, or areas of facilities being used for official meetings of the NWESD 189 board. If the NWESD 189 leases or rents part of a property for NWESD 189 use, firearms and dangerous weapons are prohibited on any portion of the premises where the NWESD 189 has the right of exclusive use.
Carrying a dangerous weapon onto NWESD 189 premises, cooperative-provided transportation, or other facilities being used exclusively for cooperative programs and/or activities in violation of RCW 9.41.280 is also a criminal offense. It is the policy of the NWESD 189 that the presence of firearms and other dangerous weapons in the workplace or educational environment is to be minimized as much as possible. As such, the following activities are prohibited by this policy regardless of whether such possession would violate state law and regardless of whether the weapon is secured in a vehicle or possessed by a person with a concealed weapons permit:
- No NWESD 189 employee may bring any firearm or dangerous weapon onto any NWESD 189 property without prior authorization of the Superintendent.
- No person or entity renting, leasing, or otherwise being granted the right to temporary use of NWESD 189-owned property may possess, or allow its guests to possess, firearms or dangerous weapons on NWESD 189-owned property.
The Superintendent is directed to ensure that all NWESD 189 facilities post “Gun-Free Zone” signs, and that all violations of this policy and RCW 9.41.280 are reported annually to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Dangerous Weapons
The term “dangerous weapons” under state law includes:
- Any firearm;
- Any device commonly known as “nunchaku sticks,” consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected with wire, rope, or other means;
- Any device, commonly known as “throwing stars,” which are multi-pointed, metal objects designed to embed upon impact from any aspect;
- Any air gun, including any air pistol or air rifle, designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide, or other gas;
- Any portable device manufactured to function as a weapon and which is commonly known as a stun gun, including a projectile stun gun which projects wired probes that are attached to the device that emits an electrical charge designed to administer to a person or an animal an electric shock, charge, or impulse;
- Any device, object, or instrument that is used or intended to be used as a weapon with the intent to injure a person by an electric shock, charge, or impulse;
- The following instruments:
- Any dirk or dagger;
- Any knife with a blade longer than three inches;
- Any knife with a blade that is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device;
- Any knife having a blade that opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement; and
- Any razor with an unguarded blade;
- Any slung shot, sandbag, or sand club;
- Metal knuckles;
- A sling shot;
- Any metal pipe or bar used or intended to be used as a club;
- Any explosive;
- Any weapon containing poisonous or injurious gas;
- Any implement or instrument that has the capacity to inflict death and from the manner in which it is used, is likely to produce or may easily and readily produce death.
In addition, the NWESD 189 considers the following weapons in violation of this policy:
- Any knife or razor not listed above, except for instruments authorized or provided for specific school activities;
- Any object other than those listed above that is used in a manner to intimidate, threaten, or injure another person and is capable of easily and readily producing such injury.
Reporting Dangerous Weapons
Students
If the NWESD 189 staff believes that a student has violated this policy, an appropriate NWESD 189 authority will promptly notify the student’s parents/guardians and the appropriate law enforcement agency of known or suspected violations of this policy. Students who have possessed a firearm on any NWESD 189 premises, cooperative-provided transportation, or program-sponsored activities at any facility or in areas of facilities while being used for official NWESD 189 board meetings shall be expelled for not less than one year pursuant to RCW 28A.600.420. The Superintendent may modify the one-year expulsion for a firearm on a case-by-case basis.
Further, the NWESD 189 may also suspend or expel a student for up to one year if the student acts with malice (as defined under RCW 9A.04.110) and displays a device that appears to be a firearm.
All expulsion and/or suspension and all other discipline of students who violate this policy will be subject to NWESD 189 Policy 3241, Student Discipline.
Staff
If an NWESD 189 employee believes that another NWESD 189 employee has violated this policy, the employee will report his or her concerns to an appropriate NWESD 189 authority for further inquiry. Any disciplinary action of an employee who willfully violates this policy will be subject to NWESD 189 Policy 5281, Disciplinary Action and Discharge.
Exceptions
The following persons may carry firearms into NWESD 189 buildings, as necessary, although students engaged in these activities are restricted to the possession of rifles on NWESD 189 premises:
1) Persons engaged in NWESD 189-authorized military or law enforcement or NWESD 189 security activities;
2) Persons involved in a NWESD 189 Superintendent authorized convention, showing, demonstration, lecture, or firearm safety course;
3) Persons competing in NWESD 189 Superintendent authorized firearm or air gun competitions; and
4) Any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer.
The following persons who are over eighteen (18) years of age, not employed by the NWESD 189, not renting or leasing NWESD 189 facilities, and not enrolled as students may possess firearms outside of NWESD 189 buildings on NWESD 189 property under only the following limited circumstances:
A) Persons who have a concealed weapons permit issued pursuant to RCW 9.41.070 and are (1) picking up or dropping off students at a cooperative program or (2) attending official meetings of NWESD 189 board held off NWESD 189 owned or leased property; and
B) Persons conducting legitimate business at the program site and in lawful possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon if the weapon is secured within an attended vehicle, is unloaded and secured in a vehicle, or is concealed from view in a locked, unattended vehicle. Pursuant to RCW 9.41.050, no one may lawfully possess a loaded handgun in a vehicle unless the person has a valid concealed pistol permit.
Persons may bring dangerous weapons, other than firearms, onto NWESD 189 premises if the weapons are lawfully within the person’s possession and are to be used in a cooperative program authorized martial arts class.
Personal Protection Spray
Persons over eighteen years of age, and persons between fourteen and eighteen years of age with written parental or guardian permission, may possess personal protection spray devices on NWESD 189 property. No one under eighteen years of age may deliver such devices. No one eighteen years or older may deliver a spray device to anyone under fourteen, or to anyone between fourteen and eighteen who does not have parental permission.
Personal protection spray devices may not be used other than in self-defense as defined by state law. Possession, transmission or use of personal protection spray devices under any other circumstances is a violation of NWESD 189 policy.
First Reading: 04/25/01
Second Reading: 05/23/01
Revised: 08/23/06
Revised: 08/17/16
Revised: 11/18/19
Revised: 08/22/22
Revised: 05/22/23
Reference:
RCW 9.41.250
RCW 9.41.280
RCW 9.91.160
RCW 9A.16.020
RCW 9.94A.825
RCW 28A.310.180
RCW 28A.600.420
Cross Reference:
Policy 3241
Policy 4260
Date Revised: 05/22/2023