Sec. 53a-217b. Possession of a weapon on school grounds: Class D felony.
Sec. 53a-217b. Possession of a weapon on school grounds: Class D felony. (a)
A person is guilty of possession of a weapon on school grounds when, knowing that
such person is not licensed or privileged to do so, such person possesses a firearm or
deadly weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, (1) in or on the real property comprising a
public or private elementary or secondary school, or (2) at a school-sponsored activity
as defined in subsection (h) of section 10-233a.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the otherwise
lawful possession of a firearm (1) by a person for use in a program approved by school
officials in or on such school property or at such school-sponsored activity, (2) by a
person in accordance with an agreement entered into between school officials and such
person or such person's employer, (3) by a peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9)
of section 53a-3, while engaged in the performance of such peace officer's official
duties, or (4) by a person while traversing such school property for the purpose of gaining
access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes, provided
such firearm is not loaded and the entry on such school property is permitted by the
local or regional board of education.
(c) Possession of a weapon on school grounds is a class D felony.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-1, S. 1; P.A. 93-416, S. 7; P.A. 94-221, S. 1; P.A. 98-129, S. 15; P.A. 01-84, S. 8, 26.)
History: P.A. 93-416 amended Subsecs. (a) and (c) to replace reference to offense of "possession of a firearm on school
grounds" with revised name of "possession of a weapon on school grounds" due to inclusion of deadly weapon in offense
in Subsec. (a); P.A. 94-221 added Subsec. (a)(2) re school-sponsored activities and amended Subsec. (b)(5) to substitute
"permitted by" the board of education for "not prohibited by school officials" and, notwithstanding the provisions of
Subsec. (b), provided for the prohibition by boards of education of the possession of firearms by students in or on school
property or at a school-sponsored activity; P.A. 98-129 amended Subsec. (a) to add element that the person know that he
is not licensed or privileged to possess a weapon on school grounds and deleted former Subsec. (b)(1) that had made
provisions of Subsec. (a) inapplicable to the lawful possession of a firearm by a person holding a valid state or local permit
to carry such firearm, renumbering the remaining Subdivs. accordingly, and deleted provision that had authorized boards
of education and supervisory agents of private schools to prohibit the possession of firearms by students in or on school
property or at a school-sponsored activity; P.A. 01-84 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to exempt possession of a firearm for use
in an approved program "at such school-sponsored activity" and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality
in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 1, 2001.