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HCPSS / POLICIES

Policy 9250 – Weapons

The purpose of this policy is to establish parameters for ensuring a safe and supportive school environment by prohibiting the possession or use of weapons on school property and at school-related activities.

Policy Document

Implementation Procedures

I. Policy Value Statement

The Board of Education of Howard County (Board) is committed to providing a safe and supportive school environment. The presence of weapons on school property or at any school-related activity is strictly forbidden, except as provided herein.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish parameters for ensuring a safe and supportive school environment by prohibiting the possession or use of weapons on school property and at school-related activities.

III. Standards

  1. Notification that weapons are prohibited on school property, in a vehicle located on school property, and at school-related activities will be communicated to all students, Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) employees, parents, volunteers, and third parties, annually, to any new student upon enrollment, and when deemed necessary by the principal.

  2. It is a violation of this policy for any person to carry or possess any weapon on school property, in a vehicle located on school property, or at school-related activities other than a law enforcement agent in the regular course of the agent’s duty. Additionally, an armored car service hired by the Board who has been expressly authorized in writing by the Superintendent.

  3. A student who is found to be in possession of a firearm on school property, in a vehicle located on school property, or at a school-related activity, the incident will be reported to the Howard County Police Department (HCPD), and the student will be expelled/excluded from their regular school program from the HCPSS for a minimum of one year. Upon the conclusion of any legal action taken as a result of reporting the incident to HCPD, the Superintendent/designee may, on a case-by-case basis, specify a shorter period of removal or provide access to an alternative learning environment.

  4. Unless used to threaten or harm another, the following are not considered weapons:

    1. Tools and materials used by students or HCPSS employees in their normal duties and as part of instructional activities.

    2. Any antique firearm rendered permanently inoperable.

    3. Permanently inoperable rifles used by JROTC cadets during instructional time and at other times when under the direct supervision of JROTC instructors.

  5. Any disciplinary action taken for students as a result of a violation of this policy will be administered in accordance with the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct and Policy 9200 Student Discipline.

  6. Disciplinary actions for HCPSS employees taken as a result of a violation of this policy will be administered in accordance with Policy 7030 Employee Conduct and Discipline.

  7. Possession of a weapon by a third party on school grounds will result in referral to HCPD to address the violation.

IV. Responsibilities

  1. The school-based administrator, supervisor, or designee will annually notify all students, HCPSS employees, parents, and third parties of the standards included in this policy.

  2. The school-based administrator, supervisor, or designee will determine if a person is in possession of a weapon and take appropriate action.

V. Delegation of Authority

The Superintendent is authorized to develop appropriate procedures for the implementation of this policy within the limits set forth by this policy.

VI. Definitions

Within the context of this policy, the following definitions apply:

  1. Expulsion – The exclusion of a student from the student’s regular school program for 45 school days or longer as determined by the Superintendent/designee.

  2. Firearm – Any weapon (including a starter gun) which is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. This includes:

    1. The frame or receiver of any such weapon.

    2. Any firearm muffler or firearm silencer.

    3. Any destructive device (such as a pipe bomb).

  3. HCPSS Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee of the HCPSS whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board, including but not limited to, school-based administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, paraeducators, and other school-based and Central Office support staff.

  4. Law Enforcement Agent – A local, State, or federal employee vested with law enforcement authority.

  5. Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the student:

    1. Biological Parent – A natural parent whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    2. Adoptive Parent – A person who has legally adopted the student and whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    3. Custodian – A person or an agency appointed by the court as the legal custodian of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    4. Guardian – A person who has been placed by the court in charge of the affairs of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    5. Caregiver – An adult resident of Howard County who exercises care, custody, or control over the student but who is neither the biological parent nor legal guardian, as long as the person satisfies the requirements of the Education Article, §7-101(c) (Informal Kinship Care) or has been issued a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Verification of Release form entering into a custodial arrangement with the federal government.

    6. Foster parent – An adult approved to care for a child who has been placed in their home by a State agency or a licensed child placement agency as provided by the Family Law Article, §5-507.

  6. School Property – Any property owned or leased by HCPSS for school-related activities. The concept of property extends to school activities such as field trips, use of parks and recreation facilities, proms at hotels, etc. School buses, school bus stops, and facilities scheduled by the school system for student use are considered an extension of school property.

  7. School-Related Activity – Any school system activity, whether held on or off school property, in which a student directly participates (e.g., school field trip, athletic event, or class/graduation activity), or an activity in which the student does not directly participate but represents the school or student body simply by being there (e.g., spectator at a school event).

  8. Third Party - Parents, mentors, volunteers, vendors, contractors, and others with whom students or HCPSS employees interact during school or school-related activities.

  9. Weapon – Object or implement capable of causing harm to another or used in such a way as to cause harm to another. The term weapon can include:

    1. Gun and gun facsimiles including pellet and BB guns

    2. Firearm or other firearm facsimile

    3. Knife

    4. Chemical spray

    5. Poison

    6. Taser

    7. Martial arts weapon (e.g., throwing star, nunchakus)

    8. Explosive devices

    9. Any implement, visible or concealed, possessed under a circumstance that would reasonably lead a person to believe it was a weapon or would be used as a weapon.

VII. References

A. Legal

  • 18.U.S.C. §921

  • Md. Ann. Code, Criminal Law Article, §4-102

  • Md. Ann. Code, Family Law Article, §5-507

  • Md. Ann. Code, Education Article, §7-101(c)

  • Md. Ann. Code, Education Article, §7-305(F)

  • COMAR 13A.08.01.11

  • COMAR 13A.08.01.12.1

B. Board Policies

C. Relevant Data Sources

D. Other

VIII. History

ADOPTED: January 25, 1990

REVIEWED: January 17, 2024

MODIFIED:

  • August 14, 2014

  • June 9, 2016

REVISED:

  • May 14, 1992

  • June 23, 1994

  • September 14, 1995

  • March 22, 2005

  • April 12, 2012

  • April 9, 2025

EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2025

Policy History Key

  • Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
  • Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
  • Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
  • Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
  • Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.