Some people tend to think that they should be able to bring firearms and weapons wherever they want without having to face consequences. They often cite the Second Amendment to back up this desire. Unfortunately, this isn’t how it works in reality. There are limitations on the places where you can have weapons.
The Gun Free School Zones Act of 1995 limits where you can carry firearms. This law clearly prohibits any firearm from being carried within 1,000 feet of a school. While this might seem incredibly restrictive, it is meant to help protect children.
Many schools need federal funds to stay open. The Gun Free School Zones Act of 1995 was included in the No Child Left Behind Act, so schools that don’t take a zero tolerance stance on guns can’t get these federal funds.
There are some school districts that have skirted around these guidelines, but this isn’t common. For men and women who own firearms, it is necessary to follow this law so that they don’t end up facing criminal charges.
Some schools use metal detectors to try to prevent weapons from making into the schools. This is something that is important to help keep the children safe. It also means that you have to remember to leave your gun at home when you are heading to the school for anything.
The penalties that you can face in connection with bringing a gun into a forbidden area are considerable. You have to realize that these are some very serious matters. You can’t take these charges lightly, so you should get started on your defense plan to try to combat the penalties.
Source: FindLaw, “Weapons at School,” accessed July 21, 2017
