Policy 6.038 Weapons and Dangerous Instruments
Policy 6.038 Weapons and Dangerous Instruments
Cooperative Educational Services (“C.E.S.”) determines that possession, concealment, and/or use of a weapon by a student is detrimental to the welfare and safety of the students and school personnel within the district. Possession and/or use of any dangerous or deadly weapon, firearm, or destructive device in any school building, on school grounds, in any school vehicle, or at any school-sponsored activity is prohibited even if the person possessing the deadly weapon or firearm has a permit for such item.
I. Definitions:
A. Dangerous Instrument means any instrument, article or substance which, under the circumstances in which it is used or attempted or threatened to be used, is capable of causing death or serious physical injury, and includes a "vehicle" or a dog that has been commanded to attack.
B. Deadly Weapon means any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon or metal knuckles. A weapon such as a pellet gun and/or air soft pistol may constitute a deadly weapon if such weapon is designed for violence and is capable of inflicting death or serious bodily harm. In making such determination, the following factors should be
considered: design of weapon; how weapon is typically used (e.g. hunting); type of projectile; force and velocity of discharge; method of
discharge (i.e. spring v. CO2 cartridge) and potential for serious bodily harm or death.
C. Electronic Defense Weapon means a weapon which by electronic impulse or current is capable of immobilizing a person temporarily, but is not capable of inflicting death or serious physical injury, including a stun gun or other conductive energy device.
D. Firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C § 921, means (a) any weapon (including astarter gun) that will, is designed to, or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, (b) the frame or receiver of any such weapon, (c) a firearm muffler or silencer, or (d) any destructive
device. The term firearm does not include an antique firearm. As used in this definition, a "destructive device" includes any explosive, incendiary, or poisonous gas device, including a bomb, a grenade, a rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, a missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, a mine, or any other similar device; or any weapon (other than a shotgun or shotgun shell particularly suited for sporting purposes) that will, or may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by explosive or other propellant, and which has a barrel with a bore of more than 1⁄2" in diameter. The term "destructive device" also includes any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device or any device from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. A "destructive device" does not include: an antique firearm; a rifle intended to be used by the owner solely for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes; or any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon.
E. Martial Arts Weapon means a nunchaku, kama, kasari-fundo, octagon sai, tonfa or Chinese star.|
F. School-Sponsored Activity "means any activity sponsored, recognized or authorized by a board of education and includes activities conducted on or off school property." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233a(h).
G. Weapon means any BB gun, any blackjack, any metal or brass knuckles, any police baton or nightstick, any dirk knife or switch knife, any knife
having an automatic spring release device by which a blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches in length, any stiletto, any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches and over in length, any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, unless permitted by law under Section 29-38 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
II. Consequences
A. A student who possesses and/or uses any deadly weapon or firearm on school property in violation of this policy shall be disciplined in accordance with the Representative Council Student Discipline Policy.
Legal References:
Connecticut General Statutes
§ 10-233a,
§ 10-244a,
§ 29-28(e),
§ 53a-3,3,
§ 53a-217b
ADOPTED: March 5, 2026