Community Relations
Possession of Deadly Firearms or Deadly Weapons

Definitions

As used in this Policy 1700(a), the following terms have the meaning set forth herein:

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 [Ref. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3(6)]
Firearm means any sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, or other weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged. [Ref: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3 (19)]

Real Property means the land and all temporary and permanent structures comprising the Newtown Public School District’s elementary and secondary schools, administrative office buildings, and operational facilities. Real Property includes, but is not limited to, classrooms, hallways, storage facilities, theaters, gymnasiums, fields, and parking lots.

School-Sponsored Activity means any activity sponsored, recognized, or authorized by the Newtown Board of Education and includes activities conducted on or off school property. [Ref: Conn. Gen. Sta. § 10-233a(h)].

Prohibition of Deadly Weapons and Firearms

In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(e) and § 53a-217b, the possession and/or use of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity, is strictly prohibited by the Board of Education, even if the person possessing the Deadly Weapon or Firearm has a permit for such item, and even if the person intends to 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.

Limited Exceptions

Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition of Deadly Weapons or Firearms, a person in lawful possession of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm may possess such item on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity pursuant to the following limited exceptions:

Peace Officers

A person in lawful possession of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm bringing such item on the
Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity, is a peace officer, as defined by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3, and is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties; or

Armed School Security Officers

The person in lawful possession of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm bringing such item on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity, is an armed security officer employed by the Board of Education to provide security services pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-244a, and is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties; or

Off-Duty Qualified Law Enforcement Officers

The person in lawful possession of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm bringing such item on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity, is an off-duty qualified law enforcement officer authorized by the Board of Education to do so pursuant to a written agreement between the Board of Education and the Newtown Police Department, provided such written agreement has been duly authorized and approved by the Board of Education; or

Other Specifically Authorized Persons

The person in lawful possession of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm bringing such item on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity, is a person authorized to do so pursuant to a written agreement with such person and the Board of Education or a written agreement between such person’s employer and the Board of Education, provided such written agreement has been duly authorized and approved by the Board of Education

Consequences

Unless subject to one of the exceptions specifically set forth in this Policy, any person who possesses a Deadly Weapon or Firearm on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity, whether or not the person is lawfully permitted to carry such Deadly Weapon or Firearm, will be reported to law enforcement by school officials upon becoming aware of its possession.

A student who possesses and/or uses any Deadly Weapon or Firearm on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity in violation of this policy shall be disciplined in accordance with the Board of Education’s discipline policies.

The Board of Education reserves the right to forbid any person possessing a Deadly Weapon or Firearm in violation of this policy on the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District, on
school transportation, or at a School-Sponsored Activity, from entering the Real Property of the Newtown Public School District and/or from using any and all school facilities of the Newtown Public School District.

(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. Permits for out-of-state residents
29-33 Sale, delivery or transfer of pistol and revolvers. Procedure. Penalty

53a-3 Definitions.
53a-217b Possession of a weapon on school grounds: Class D felony
P.A. 13-188 An Act Concerning School Safety
10-233a Definitions
10-244a Employment of persons to provide security services in a public school while in possession of a firearm

Policy adopted: May 5, 2015 , Effective July 1, 2015
Policy revised:   April 5, 2016, November 1, 2022, January 18, 2024

NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Newtown, Connecticut

Community Relations Possession of Deadly Firearms or Deadly Weapons

Community Relations
Possession of Deadly Firearms or Deadly Weapons