School districts in Mississippi now have the power to form their own policies as to whether citizens with enhanced concealed carry permits can have guns while on campus. But, at least for now, districts in the Golden Triangle have no plans to loosen their policies.
The Mississippi State Board of Education voted Sept. 29 to allow districts to make their own policies regarding weapons on school campuses and at school events.
The permanent decision comes two months after the SBE made the initial temporary ruling to allow districts to make their own policies. This is in line with a 2011 state law that allows those with an enhanced concealed carry permit to carry a gun on school campuses.
Though schools are federal no-gun zones, there are exceptions written into the federal law. Law enforcement may carry weapons on school property, and individual states may give licenses allowing concealed carry on school grounds, such as Mississippi’s enhanced concealed carry license.
Currently, the policies for Columbus Municipal School District, Lowndes County School District and Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District all state that only law enforcement personnel, which includes school resource officers, is allowed to carry a firearm on school premises or at school functions.
Each district also has a permitted use clause stating the superintendent or principal may approve a weapon on campus to be used for “valid educational purposes or school-sanctioned ceremonies,” the LCSD and SOCSD policies state.
CMSD’s policy gives a more detailed description of educational purposes and school-sanctioned ceremonies: pneumatic, or airsoft, guns used during Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps events and training in approved locations, Mississippi High School Activities Association or school board approved activities like archery and shooting sports, replica firearms by color guard and approved safety classes.
CMSD Interim Superintendent Dennis Dupree said this month the board does not intend to take any action on changing the policy, but he and the board members are researching the best course of action.
“Internally, we are reviewing the actions of the SBE,” Dupree said. “We do not have a recommended revision of our policy on our board agenda for (this month’s) meeting because we want to make certain the matter has been given the proper research and thought before we take any step to recommend revision of our policy.”
Board president Yvonne Cox agreed with Dupree and said the board is taking caution and fully researching the issue before voting on a recommended policy change.
LCSD Superintendent Sam Allison said the current policy of not allowing students, employees and visitors to bring weapons on campus will remain unless safety changes are needed.
“As proud as we are of our academic and extracurricular accomplishments, the safety and security of our students, staff and visitors sit at the forefront of our daily operations,” Allison said. “As policies change from the state or federal level, we evaluate our district policies to ensure that we are meeting any legal changes while also maintaining the vision of the Lowndes County School District. We currently have a weapons policy in place that bans students, employees, and visitors’ ability to possess, transmit, or use weapons or dangerous instruments on school property. We plan to continue to follow this policy and we will make changes, if needed, to ensure the safety of our students and employees.”
SOCSD Superintendent Tony McGee said he will recommend the board of trustees keep the current policy as it is written because it aligns with the district’s safety plan.
“I am recommending that our current policy that bans students, employees and visitors from possessing a weapon in school, on school property, on the school bus, on the way to and from school or at any school function or activity continue to be enforced,” McGee said. “Our school district has an enormous responsibility to provide a safe, secure learning environment for our students, staff and families every day. (The weapon policy) as it is currently written and enforced fully supports the district’s safety and security plan.”
SOCSD board president Wes Gordon said there are no plans to change or revise the policy, and the district will continue operating under its current policy.
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