SB 707: CSBA Guidance for Firearms on School Grounds
Published: October 12, 2016
Senate Bill 707 was signed into law in October 2015 and, subject to limited exceptions, prohibits individuals from possessing a firearm and/or ammunition on school grounds in California unless it is with the written permission of the district superintendent, the superintendent’s designee, or equivalent school authority.
Previously, state law established gun-free school zones on school campuses and within 1,000 feet of a school, but made an exception for persons with Carry Concealed Weapon licenses. SB 707 amended state law to provide that persons with CCW licenses cannot carry firearms on school grounds without written permission. This puts school boards in the position of determining whether or not concealed weapons may be carried on school grounds.
CSBA’s SB 707 Guidance gives members an explanation of current law and aims to give governing board members the information they need to make an informed decision about their board policies governing firearms on school grounds. The guidance follows up on CSBA’s April release of its sample board policies related to possession of a firearm on school grounds, Board Policy 3515.7 (Firearms on School Grounds), and accompanying exhibits. The guidance includes recommendations for policies, examples of relevant policies already passed by California school boards, and analysis of additional issues governing boards should consider before passing a policy addressing firearms on school grounds, including Public Records Act considerations, open meeting considerations, and insurance and liability issues that may need to be addressed.
Recognizing that a decision regarding firearms on school grounds must be made by each school board based on local circumstances, the Guidance and sample policies provide options for governing boards to consider in consultation with the district's legal counsel, insurance provider, and local law enforcement and with input from students, parents, staff and community members.
In addition to the guidance, CSBA’s legal update series hosted a panel of attorneys and a board member employed in law enforcement who engaged in a spirited discussion about the impacts of SB 707 on school boards. First airing on Oct. 26, 2016, the webcast will be available at www.csba.org.