How will your district handle concealed weapons on school grounds?
CSBA's new sample policy can help
Published: April 6, 2016
Senate Bill 707, signed into law by Gov. Brown last October, prohibits a person with a valid Carry Concealed Weapon license from possessing a firearm on school grounds in California, unless he or she obtains the written permission of the school superintendent or designee.
In response, CSBA has issued a new sample board policy: BP 3515.7 - Firearms on School Grounds. The sample policy provides options for the governing board to consider in consultation with the district's legal counsel and insurance provider and with local law enforcement. Districts should tailor the sample policy to reflect the district's local circumstances. For districts that choose to allow persons with a CCW license to apply for permission to possess a firearm and/or ammunition on school grounds, two exhibits provide a sample application form and a sample firearm and ammunition possession agreement specifying responsibilities and restrictions.
This special April policy release also includes BP/AR 3515.2 - Disruptions, which has been updated to delete material related to gun-free school zones, since that material is now covered in 3515.7.
CSBA strongly recommends that governing boards adopt a policy in response to SB 707 that either prohibits or permits such possession and, if possession is allowed, establishes conditions and criteria for granting permission to individuals annually. Because the law now requires an affirmative action on the part of the district to allow or disallow concealed weapons permit holders to possess a firearm and/or ammunition on school grounds, it is possible that district liability could be increased.
BP 3515.7 and other CSBA sample policies are available through a
Gamut Online subscription. To access the April policy release, subscribers will log in to Gamut Online, then click on “Policy Updates,” then “April 2016 Update Guide Sheet.”
If you have any questions, or for subscription information, please contact
CSBA’s Member Services Department at (800) 266-3382.