Is it against the law to possess a weapon on school property in North Carolina?

Possessing a Weapon on School Property Offense in North Carolina

Under N.C.G.S. 14.269-2, it is illegal to knowingly possess or carry a weapon openly or one that is concealed on any educational property or curricular or extracurricular activity at a school. An educational property can be a school building or bus, school campus grounds, athletic field, or another property owned by a board of education or school board trustees, or directors for the administration of a school. Under this law, a school is defined as a private or public school, community college, college, or university.

Many weapons are prohibited from being brought into a school. They include:

Firearms

Shotguns

Rifles

BB guns

Cutting instruments and tools

Brass knuckles

Fireworks and explosives

Any other weapon that can be used to inflict serious bodily harm

Felony Offenses for Possessing a Weapon on Educational Property

Possessing a weapon on school property is often charged as a felony in North Carolina. There are several different crimes that an individual could be charged with committing, including the following:

Class I felony. It is a Class I felony to knowingly possess or carry a gun, rifle, pistol, or another firearm openly or that is concealed on any educational property or curricular or extracurricular activity at a school.

Class F felony. The crime becomes a Class F felony if the firearm is discharged on any educational property or curricular or extracurricular activity at a school.

Class G felony. If the weapon possessed or carried on any educational property or curricular or extracurricular activity at a school is dynamite, cartridge, bomb, grenade, or another powerful explosive, the offense would be charged as a Class G felony.

Class I felony. It is a Class I felony to aid, encourage, or cause a minor under 18 years old to possess a gun, rifle, pistol, or another firearm on any educational property or curricular or extracurricular activity at a school.

Class G felony. An individual who aids, encourages, or causes a minor under 18 years old to possess or carry dynamite, cartridge, bomb, grenade, or another powerful explosive would be charged with a Class G felony.

Misdemeanor Crimes for Possessing a Weapon on School Property

A person can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for carrying or possessing some less dangerous weapons or aiding, encouraging, or causing a minor under 18 years old to carry or possess them in an educational property or curricular or extracurricular activity at a school. These weapons include the following:

BB gun
Stun gun
Air pistol
Bowie knife
Dagger
Switchblade
Metallic knuckles
Razors and razor blades

Penalties for Possessing a Firearm on Educational Property

North Carolina uses a complicated sentencing system that takes into account mitigating and aggravating factors, such as the circumstances of the crime and the defendant’s prior criminal history. For a Class 1 misdemeanor, the sentence can involve a jail sentence, fine, community service, or probation. The sentencing range for any Class 1 misdemeanor punishment is 1 to 120 days.

If someone is convicted of a felony, they will likely be incarcerated. The sentencing range can include the following:

Class F felony. The punishment could be 13 to 33 months in prison.
Class G felony. The sentence for a Class G felony includes 10 to 25 months in prison.
Class I felony. The sentencing range for a Class I felony is 4 to 10 months in prison.