1700 - Otherwise Lawful Possession of Firearms on School Property

Policy 1700

Community Relations

Possession of Firearms or Deadly Weapons

Students and staff are prohibited by the Board of Education from possessing firearms or deadly weapons for any reason, whether otherwise lawful or not on the real property comprising the district’s elementary or secondary schools or administrative office building, on school transportation, or at a school sponsored activity as defined in Subsection (h) of Section 10‑233a.

The issuance of a permit to carry a pistol, revolver or other firearms or deadly weapon does not authorize the possession or carrying of a pistol, revolver or other firearms or deadly weapon on the real property of any school or administrative office building, on school transportation, or to a school-sponsored activity. The Board of Education prohibits such possession on school district property.

Entry into Board of Education Offices or onto school property by persons who hold a valid state or local permit to carry a firearm or deadly weapon and would otherwise legally traverse school property with an unloaded firearm or deadly weapon for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes, is prohibited by the Board of Education.

The Board of Education may employ or enter into an agreement for public school security services with a firearm or deadly weapon, as defined in state law, only with a sworn member of a local police department or a retired state or local police officer, or retired federal law enforcement agents and retired police officers from an out-of-state police department, as stipulated in 10-244a.

A peace officer, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3, engaged in the performance of his or her official duties who is in lawful possession of a deadly weapon or firearm may bring such item on the real property of any school or administrative office building in this district, on school transportation, or to a school-sponsored activity.

The Board of Education reserves the right to forbid anyone caught possessing a deadly weapon or firearm on the real property of its school buildings or administrative office buildings, on school transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity, from using any and all school facilities.

Students and staff are prohibited by the Board of Education from possessing firearms for any reason, whether otherwise lawful or not, in or on the real property comprising the public or private elementary or secondary school or at a school sponsored activity as defined in Subsection (h) of Section 10‑233a.

(cf. 5114 - Suspension/Expulsion/Exclusion/Removal)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

29-28 Permit for sale at retail of pistol or revolver. Permit to carry a pistol or revolver. Confidentiality of
name and address of permit holder. (as amended by P.A. 98-129)

                                    29-33 Sale, delivery or transfer of pistol and revolvers. Documentation requirements. Waiting period.
Exempted transactions. Penalty. (as amended by P.A. 98-129)
                                    52a-3 Definitions.
53a-217b Possession of a weapon on school grounds: Class D felony. (as amended by P.A. 01-84)
                                    P.A. 13-188 An Act Concerning School Safety
10-244a Employment of persons to provide security services in a public school while in possession of a
  firearm (as amended by P.A. 14-212 and P.A. 14-217)

Policy adopted: May 5, 2015, Effective July 1, 2015
Policy revised: April 5, 2016, November 1, 2022
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut