Albuquerque Public Schools
30. Firearm Possession
Possession or use of any weapon, which will propel a projectile by the action of an explosive, and other weapons as defined in the United States Code: Title 18, Section 921. This definition does not apply to items such as toy guns, BB guns, or pellet guns, but does include bombs, grenades, and some explosives (also, see weapon possession).
“Possession” as used herein, includes not only possession on one’s physical person, but also custody and control. Thus, a student may be found in possession of any item if the item is in the student’s backpack, locker, car, or elsewhere that is on APS property or at an APS sponsored activity, if subject to the student’s custody and control.
- The Gun Free Schools Act provides for a mandatory expulsion of a period of not less than one year for a student who is determined to have brought or to have possessed a firearm at school or any setting that is under the control and supervision of school officials. Only the superintendent may modify in writing the not less than one-year expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis. All school related incidents of firearm possession must be reported to the APS Police Department.
- New Mexico requires that, if any school employee has reasonable cause to believe that a child is or has been in possession of a firearm on school premises, the employee shall immediately report the child’s actions to a law enforcement agency and the Children, Youth, and Families Department.
- Safe Gun Storage: Secure firearm storage is an essential part of home safety. If a decision has been made to bring a gun into your home, parents/legal guardians can make the home safer by storing any firearms unloaded and locked, with ammunition kept in a separate place. Research has proven that this simple practice can help prevent unintentional shootings, gun suicides, and other tragedies that can result when children and teens gain access to guns. For more information, see BeSMARTforkids.org.
- Student Possession of a Firearm (Board Policy JI3)
- Firearms Prohibited (Board Policy AD1)
This infraction requires a police report with the charge of Unlawful Carrying of a Deadly Weapon on School Premises.*
Asterisk (*) Indicates Additional Required action for any Consequence to ensure Student Due Process
Required actions for ALL infractions Listed Below:
- Staff/Student Contact in Student Information System
- Administrative/Parent/Legal Guardian Contact/Conference in the families home language (Schools can only discuss your child in accordance with FERPA Guidelines.)
- Copy of the Referral provided to Parent/Legal Guardian printed from the Student Information System
Consequences/Disposition
Elementary
Expulsion Hearing with mandatory expulsion of a period of not less than one year.
Middle/High
Expulsion Hearing with mandatory expulsion of a period of not less than one year.
Updated as of July 2024