Z-1344.1          _______________________________________________

                                 SENATE BILL 6157

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

By Senators Oke, Bauer and Barr

Read first time 01/20/92.  Referred to Committee on Education.Prohibiting dangerous weapons on elementary and secondary school premises.

     AN ACT Relating to dangerous weapons on elementary or secondary school premises; amending RCW 9.41.280; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

     Sec. 1.  RCW 9.41.280 and 1989 c 219 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) It is unlawful for ((an elementary or secondary school student under the age of twenty-one knowingly)) a person to carry onto public or private elementary or secondary school premises:

     (a) Any firearm; or

     (b) Any dangerous weapon as defined in RCW 9.41.250; or

     (c) Any device commonly known as "nun-chu-ka sticks", consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected with wire, rope, or other means; or

     (d) Any device, commonly known as "throwing stars", which are multi-pointed, metal objects designed to embed upon impact from any aspect; or

     (e) Any air gun, including any air pistol or air rifle, designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide, or other gas.

     (2) Any such ((student)) person violating subsection (1) of this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

     Any violation of subsection (1) of this section by elementary or secondary school students constitutes grounds for expulsion.

     (3) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

     (a) Any student or employee of a private military academy; or

     (b) Any ((student)) person engaged in military, law enforcement, or security activities((, sponsored by the federal or state governments)) while engaged in official duties; or

     (c) Any ((student)) person who is ((attending)) involved in a convention, showing, demonstration, lecture, or firearms safety course authorized by school authorities in which the firearms of collectors or instructors are handled or displayed; or

     (d) Any ((student)) person who possesses nun-chu-ka sticks, throwing stars, or other dangerous weapons to be used in martial arts classes conducted on the school premises; or

     (e) Any ((student)) person while the ((student)) person is participating in a firearms or air gun competition approved by the school or school district.