Weapons Classification

In order to discipline a weapon-brandishing student in New York City, educators have to consult the Weapons Chart. What category weapon, for example, is a stiletto, dirk, razor, box cutter, switchblade or cane sword? What about a blackjack, bludgeon, chucka stick? Sandbag? Explosives? Air Gun? Machine Gun? What about acid or other deadly or dangerous chemicals? Refer to the list of prohibited weapons found in the Discipline Code of the New York City Department of Education:

Prohibited Weapons – Category I

• Firearm, including pistol and handgun, silencers, electronic dart, and stun gun;
• Shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other weapon which simulates or is adaptable for use as a machine gun;
• Air gun, spring gun, or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air, and any weapon in which any loaded or blank cartridge may be used (such as a BB gun);
• Switchblade knife, gravity knife, pilum ballistic knife and cane sword (a cane that conceals a knife or sword);
• Dagger, stiletto, dirk, razor, box cutter, case cutter, utility knife and other dangerous knives;
• Billy club, blackjack, bludgeon, chucka stick, and metal knuckles;
• Sandbag and sandclub;
• Sling shot (small, heavy weights attached to or propelled by a thong) and slung shot;
• Martial arts objects including kung fu stars, nin chucks and shirkens; and
• Explosives, including bombs, fire crackers and bombshells.

Prohibited Weapons – Category II

• Acid or deadly or dangerous chemicals;
• Imitation gun;
• Loaded or blank cartridges and other ammunition;
• Stink bombs;
• Stun pens; and
• Any deadly, dangerous, or sharp pointed instrument which can be used or is intended for use as a weapon (such as scissors, nail file, broken glass, chains, wire, laser beam pointers).

To understand what educators must do with this information, read the Discipline Code of the New York City Department of Education.