Prohibition of bringing weapons, ammunition and similar objects as well as chemicals into schools

RdErl. d. MK v. 10/27/2021 — 36.3-81 704/03 — VORIS 22410
Entry into force: 1 January 2022 — Expiry: 31 December 2027

1. It is prohibited to bring or carry weapons within the meaning of the Weapons Act (WaffG), as amended, to school, onto school grounds, or to school events. This includes items designated as prohibited by the Weapons Act (in particular, butterfly knives, flick knives, switchblades, switchblades, steel rods, cosh, brass knuckles, etc.), as well as items prohibited by the Weapons Act (one-handed knives and fixed-blade knives with a blade length of more than 12 cm, etc.), and firearms.
2. The ban also extends to equivalent items (e.g. blank-firing, irritant and signal weapons), gas spray devices, cutting and stabbing weapons as well as weapon-like items such as butcher knives, kitchen knives or pocket knives, pepper sprays and laser pointers.
3. Also prohibited are weapons whose handling is fully or partially exempt from the requirement of a permit or a ban, or which are fully or partially exempt from the scope of the Weapons Act (e.g., toy weapons or airsoft weapons with a projectile energy limit of up to 0.5 joules). Bringing or carrying replicas of weapons that, due to their external appearance, could be confused with weapons within the meaning of the Weapons Act is also prohibited.
4. The ban also applies to adult pupils who either have a permit to carry weapons (gun license and small arms license) or are permitted to purchase weapons without a permit.
5. It is also prohibited to bring or carry any type of ammunition, fireworks, black powder, or chemicals that can be used to create explosive compounds.
6. The school administration may allow exceptions in individual cases, e.g., for sports or theater events, in home economics classes, or during school events with food sales.
7. All students must be informed of the contents of this circular at the beginning of each school year. Special attention must be given to the specific risks associated with their age. It must be pointed out that violations of the ban on bringing weapons, etc., may result in disciplinary action.
8. A copy of this circular must be given to the parents/guardians upon admission to a school (usually the first and fifth years of school and upon entry to vocational schools).
9. This circular shall enter into force on 1 January 2022 and shall expire on 31 December 2027.