2014 Kentucky Revised Statutes CHAPTER 527 - OFFENSES RELATING TO FIREARMS AND WEAPONS 527.070 Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property -- Posting of sign -- Exemptions.
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527.070 Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property -- Posting of
sign -- Exemptions.
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(2)
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A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon on school property when
he knowingly deposits, possesses, or carries, whether openly or concealed, for
purposes other than instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, or
the purposes permitted in subsection (3) of this section, any firearm or other
deadly weapon, destructive device, or booby trap device in any public or
private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus,
grounds, recreation area, athletic field, or any other property owned, used, or
operated by any board of education, school, board of trustees, regents, or
directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to institutions of postsecondary or
higher education.
Each chief administrator of a public or private school shall display about the
school in prominent locations, including, but not limited to, sports arenas,
gymnasiums, stadiums, and cafeterias, a sign at least six (6) inches high and
fourteen (14) inches wide stating:
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON SCHOOL
PROPERTY IN KENTUCKY IS A FELONY PUNISHABLE
BY A MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) YEARS IN PRISON AND A
TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR ($10,000) FINE.
Failure to post the sign shall not relieve any person of liability under this
section.
The provisions of this section prohibiting the unlawful possession of a weapon
on school property shall not apply to:
(a) An adult who possesses a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a
vehicle operated by the adult and is not removed from the vehicle, except
for a purpose permitted herein, or brandished by the adult, or by any other
person acting with expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the
vehicle is on school property;
(b) Any pupils who are members of the reserve officers training corps or
pupils enrolled in a course of instruction or members of a school club or
team, to the extent they are required to carry arms or weapons in the
discharge of their official class or team duties;
(c) Any peace officer or police officer authorized to carry a concealed
weapon pursuant to KRS 527.020;
(d) Persons employed by the Armed Forces of the United States or members
of the National Guard or militia when required in the discharge of their
official duties to carry arms or weapons;
(e) Civil officers of the United States in the discharge of their official duties.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as to allow any person to carry
a concealed weapon into a public or private elementary or secondary
school building;
(f) Any other persons, including, but not limited to, exhibitors of historical
displays, who have been authorized to carry a firearm by the board of
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education or board of trustees of the public or private institution;
(g) A person hunting during the lawful hunting season on lands owned by
any public or private educational institution and designated as open to
hunting by the board of education or board of trustees of the educational
institution;
(h) A person possessing unloaded hunting weapons while traversing the
grounds of any public or private educational institution for the purpose of
gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting with the intent to
hunt on the public or private lands, unless the lands of the educational
institution are posted prohibiting the entry; or
(i) A person possessing guns or knives when conducting or attending a "gun
and knife show" when the program has been approved by the board of
education or board of trustees of the educational institution.
Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property is a Class D felony.
Effective:October 1, 1996
History: Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 4, effective October 1, 1996. -Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 391, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1994.
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