What are the provisions of the Gun-Free Schools Act?
The Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994 mandates a one-year calendar expulsion for possession of a firearm, referral of law-violating students to the criminal or juvenile justice system, and the provision that state law must authorize the chief administrative officer of each local school district to modify such expulsions on a case-by-case basis. Local school districts have broadened the mandate of zero tolerance beyond the federal mandates of weapons, to drugs and alcohol, fighting, threats, or swearing. Some have begun to implement permanent expulsion from the system for some offenses or to apply school suspensions, expulsions, or transfers to behaviors that occur outside of school2.
