September2016
LEGALGUIDANCE:SB707,PERMISSIONTOCARRYCONCEALEDWEAPONS
ONSCHOOLGROUNDS
ThislegalguidanceisintendedtogivegoverningboardsclarityafterthepassageofSenateBill707concerning
their options and responsibilities regarding carrying concealed weapons on school grounds. This guidance, in
conjunctionwithCSBASampleBoardPolicy3515.7,aimstoprovidegoverningboardswiththeinformationthey
needtomakeaninformedandresponsibledecisionaboutthepresenceoffirearmsonschoolgrounds.
SenateBill707(Wolk,D‐Davis),whichwassignedintolawbyGovernorJerryBrownin
October2015,amendedSections626.9and30310oftheCaliforniaPenalCode.SB707was
passedinpartinresponsetoactiveshooterincidentsinschoolsandotherinstitutional
settingsintheUnitedStates.
CurrentLaw
SB707prohibitsindividualsfrompossessingafirearmand/orammunitiononschool
groundsinCaliforniaunlessitiswiththewrittenpermissionofthedistrictsuperintendent,
thesuperintendent’sdesignee,orequivalentschoolauthority.1Inotherwords,aholderofa
validConcealedCarryWeapon(CCW)licensemaypossessafirearmonschoolgroundsonly
ifheorsheobtainsthewrittenpermissionofthesuperintendent,hisorherdesignee,oran
equivalentschoolauthority(suchasanequivalentadministrativepositionatacharteror
privateschool).2Importantly,thisplacestheauthorityandresponsibilityongoverning
boardstodeterminewhetherfirearmswillbepermittedonschoolgrounds.3
SB707’sprohibitiononcarryingafirearmonschoolgroundswithoutwritten
permissionissubjecttosomelimitedexceptions.Theprohibitiononpossessingafirearm
onschoolgroundsdoesnotapplyincertainsituationsortocertainpersons.Pleasesee
AppendixAforapartiallistoftheseexceptions.
TheRoleoftheBoardunderSB707
PriortothepassageofSB707,thepowertogranttherighttocarryaconcealedweapon
onschoolgroundsrestedwiththecountysherifforchiefofpolice.SB707changesthis
1SB707addressescarryingafirearmand/orammunitiononschoolgrounds.Whenreferringtofirearms,this
guidanceismeanttoaddresscarryingafirearmand/orammunition.Thepossessionofafirearmand
ammunitiontogether,afirearmalone,orammunitionaloneistreatedthesamebySB707.
2Whenapersonappliesforalicensetocarryaconcealedfirearm,thesherifforequivalentauthoritymay
issuealicenseuponprooftheapplicantisofgoodmoralcharacter,thatgoodcauseexistsforissuanceofthe
license,iftheapplicantisaresidentoforemployedinthecountyorrelevantjurisdiction,andiftheapplicant
hascompletedtherelevantcourseoffirearmstraining.(SeePen.Code§§26150‐26225.)
3“Schoolgrounds”include,butarenotlimitedto,schoolbuildings,fields,storageareas,andparkinglots.As
seenintheexceptionslistedinAppendixA,SB707allowsCCWlicenseholderstopossessafirearmwithin
1,000feetofaschool(aschoolzone)butnotonschoolgroundswithoutthewrittenpermissionofthe
superintendentordesignee.
decisionpoint,givingschoolofficialsthediscretiontodeterminewhetheraconcealed
firearmwillbeallowedonschoolgrounds.SB707ensureslocalcontrolbyplacingthe
responsibilityonthegoverningboardandeventuallyontheadministratortaskedwith
makingthedecisionofwhetherpersonswithconcealedweaponslicensesmaycarry
firearmsonschoolgrounds.
RecommendedGuidance
AdoptionofBoardPolicy
Giventhisgreaterresponsibility,andinviewofthepublicinterestandsafetyissues
involved,CSBAstronglyrecommendsthatthegoverningboardadoptapolicyaddressing
SB707.4
PolicyOptions
PursuanttoEducationCode35160and35161,theboardisauthorizedtomakerules
forthegovernanceofthedistrict.Thisgivesgoverningboardstwooptionswithrespectto
firearmsonschoolgrounds:(1)todisallowanyonefromcarryingfirearmsonschool
groundsexceptasspecificallyenumeratedintheexceptionscarvedoutinstatelaw;or(2)
toempowerthesuperintendentordesigneetogivewrittenpermissiontoindividualsto
carryaconcealedfirearmonschoolgroundswithintheconfinesofstatelawandtherules
setbythegoverningboard.
Underthefirstoption,schoolboardsareauthorizedtoprohibitthesuperintendentor
designeefrompermittinganypersonwhoisnotspecificallyexemptedunderPenalCode
626.9or30310fromcarryingafirearmontoschoolgrounds.5
Underthesecondoption,thegoverningboardwouldauthorizethesuperintendent
and/orhisorherdesigneetograntwrittenpermissiontoapersonwhoholdsavalid
Californialicensetocarryaconcealedweaponinaccordancewithlawandboardpolicy.
CSBArecommends,foranyschooldistrictpursuingthesecondoption,thatspecific
guidelinesareestablishedbythegoverningboarddetailinghowpermissionmaybe
grantedbythesuperintendent.
RecommendationsforPolicies
Governingboardsandschoolleaderswantschoolcampusestobesafeplacesforall
studentsandstaff.ThedecisionsabouthowbesttocreateasafeenvironmentunderSB
707willvaryfromdistricttodistrictandcountyandcounty.
Forthosegoverningboardsthatallowthesuperintendentordesigneetogivewritten
permissiontocarryaconcealedfirearmonschoolgrounds,districtsshouldconsiderwhat
guidelinesandrequirementswillcreatethesafestschoolenvironment.CSBArecommends
anumberofbestpractices:individualswhowishtocarryaconcealedfirearmonschool
groundsshouldberequiredtofilloutawrittenapplicationthatinpartdisclosesthe
reason(s)fortheirrequestandthesafetytrainingtheyhavereceived;anyindividual
grantedpermissiontocarryafirearmonschoolgroundsshouldberequiredtoreadand
signafirearmandammunitionpossessionagreementthatspecifiesallresponsibilitiesand
4CSBA’ssampleBoardPolicy3515.7,FirearmsonSchoolGrounds,andaccompanyingexhibitsareavailable
onGamutOnlinetoPolicyServicesclients.
5Firearmswillalsobeprohibitedbytheboardtakingnoactiontoauthorizethesuperintendentordesignee
tograntpermissiontocarryaconcealedfirearmonschoolgrounds.
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restrictionsplaceduponthepossessionofafirearmonschoolgrounds;permissionshould
begrantedonlyifthesuperintendentordesigneeissatisfiedthatthepossessorwillatall
timescomplywithalltermsincludedinthedistrict’sfirearmandammunitionpossession
agreement;permissiontocarryafirearmonschoolgroundsshouldberevocablebythe
boardorthesuperintendentatanytime,andshouldbereviewedannually.
DistrictPolicyExamples
Togetabettersenseoftheactionsschoolboardsaretakingthusfar,CSBAcontacted
governingboardsandsuperintendentstodiscusstheirpolicyactionsinresponsetoSB
707.CSBAalsoreviewedrecentlyapprovedpoliciesenactedasaresultofSB707.The
policiesbelowarenotnecessarilybasedonCSBA’smodelpolicybutareincludedto
providealookintotherangeofchoicesschoolboardsarealreadymakingandthethought
processbehindthesechoices.
District1:
Policy:ThedistrictsuperintendentmaygivewrittenpermissiontovalidCCWlicense
holders,includingschoolstaffandcommunitymembers.
Underthedistrict’spolicy,thesuperintendentvetseachindividualwhorequeststo
carryaconcealedfirearmonschoolgrounds.Thevettingprocessincludesreviewingacopy
oftheperson’sCCWlicense,fingerprinting,andanapplicationexplainingwhytheapplicant
wantstocarryaconcealedweapononschoolgrounds.Parentsandstaffarealsoasked
whereonschoolgroundstheyintendtocarryaconcealedweapon.Writtenpermissionis
givenforspecificschoolcampusesandareas.Thefingerprintingprocessallowsthedistrict
tobenotifiedifsomethingchangeswithrespecttotheindividual’sCCWlicensetocarrya
concealedweapon.Oncethesuperintendentapprovesanindividual,thatpersoncancarry
aconcealedfirearmonschoolgroundsuntilthepolicychangesorthepermissionis
revoked–thedistrictwillnotannuallyvetorreviewindividualpermission.Thegoverning
boarddeterminedthatallowingtheconcealedcarrywasinlinewithitswishesandits
community’swishes,andhasprovidedaFAQhandouttoparentsandcommunitymembers
aboutthenewrules.
District2:
Policy:Theschoolboarddecidednottopermitanydistrictofficialtogivepermissionto
anyonetocarryaconcealedfirearmonschoolgrounds.Theschoolboardprohibitedany
personotherthanauthorizedlawenforcementorsecuritypersonnelfrompossessing
firearmsonschoolgrounds.
District2consideredallowingconcealedfirearmsonschoolgrounds,butdeterminedit
wouldbesaferforstudentsandadultstonotallowanyonetocarryaconcealedfirearmon
schoolgrounds.InDistrict2,theboardlistenedtolawenforcementofficersaboutthe
dangersofhavingteachersorcommunitymemberscarryconcealedweaponsonschool
grounds,andwasconcernedthat,intheeventofanactiveshooteroncampus,anyadult
withafirearmcouldbeconfusedastheshooterwhenpolicearrived.Duetoitslocation
nexttoabusyfreeway,District2hashadmultiplelockdownsinyearspastandhasa
relativelyfastpoliceresponsetime.Theboard’sinitialpolicyresponsetoSB707only
addressesschoolpersonnel,andprohibitsstafffromcarryingaconcealedweaponwho
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wouldotherwisefitintooneofthestatutoryexemptionsthatwouldhaveallowedtocarry
afirearmonschoolgroundsunderSB707(retiredpoliceofficers,etc.).
District3:
Policy:TheschoolboardmaygivepermissiontovalidCCWlicenseholderstocarrya
concealedfirearmonschoolgrounds.
District3’spolicyisuniquebecausethedecisionofapprovingapersontocarrya
concealedfirearmismadebytheschoolboardinsteadofthesuperintendentordesignee.
Theboardfeltitshouldleaveopenthepossibilityofallowingsomeindividualstocarrya
concealedfirearmunderspecificcircumstances(includingtakingintoaccountthe
individual’strainingwithfirearms,thereasonforcarrying,andthepotentialbenefitand/or
risktotheschoolcampustohavesomeonewithaconcealedfirearm).Theboarddiscussed
therisksandbenefitsofhavingconcealedfirearmsonschoolgroundsandreliedonstudies
showingthelevelofshootingaccuracydemonstratedbylawenforcement,andtherisks
createdbyanybulletsthatdidn’thittheirintendedtargetsonschoolgrounds.6
District4:
Policy:Thesuperintendentmaygrantwrittenpermissiontoanindividualwithavalid
CCWlicensetopossessafirearmonschoolgrounds.
Theboardapprovedapolicyrequiringindividualstosubmitawrittenapplicationto
thesuperintendentandthesuperintendenthasthesoleauthoritytograntordenythe
application.Permissioniscontingentupontheapplicantcompletingapsychological
evaluationconductedbyalicensedpsychiatricprofessionalcertifiedinconductingPeace
OfficerPsychologicalScreenings,andbeingdeemedpsychologicallyfittocarryafirearm.
Theapplicantthenmustcompleteaweaponstrainingtwiceayearorfacerevocationofthe
permission.
District5:
Policy:Thesuperintendentordesigneeshallnotgrantpermissiontoanyother
individualtocarryafirearmorammunitiononschoolgrounds.
TheschoolboardvotedinApriltonothavethesuperintendentgrantpermissionto
anyonetocarryafirearmonschoolgrounds.Theboardpostedtheagendaandrecordof
themeetingontheirwebsite.Thesuperintendenthasnotreceivedcommentsfromparents
orstaffaboutthedecision.
InsuranceIssues:
Becausethelawnowrequiresanaffirmativeactiononthepartofthegoverningboard
toallowanindividualwithavalidCCWlicensetopossessafirearmonschoolgrounds,
districtliabilitymaybeincreased.Withthepotentialforthisincreasedliability,CSBA
recommendsthattheboardconsultwiththedistrict’slegalcounselandinsurance
6Accordingtoa2008RANDCorporationstudyevaluatingtheNewYorkPoliceDepartment’sfirearm
training,between1998and2006,theaveragehitrateduringpolicegunfightswasjust18percent.When
suspectsdidnotreturnfire,policeofficershittheirtargets30percentofthetime.Accuracyimprovesatclose
range,withofficershittingtheirtargets37percentofthetimeatdistancesofsevenyardsorless;atlonger
ranges,hitratesfalloffsharply,to23percent.Thestudyisavailableat
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/public_information/RAND_FirearmEvaluation.pdf.
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provider,andwithlocallawenforcementtocarefullytailoranypolicytoreflectthe
district’slocalcircumstances.Fordistrictsplanningtoallowindividualstocarryconcealed
firearmsonschoolgrounds,obtainingadditionalinsurancemaybenecessary.Insurance
plansnowcontainorarelikelytoaddanexclusionclauseforfirearms.Someinsurance
carriersarerequiringdistrictstonegotiateandpurchaseaseparateriderforinsurance
coverageafteritsdecisiontoallowfirearmsonschoolgrounds.
MostschooldistrictsinCaliforniaaremembersofschoolsinsurancegroups,andthe
districtswithintheinsurancegroupmaydifferregardingwhetherornottoallow
concealedfirearmsonschoolgrounds.Becausedistrictsintheinsurancepoolmaydecide
nottocollectivelypayfortheincreasedpremium,individualdistrictsthatpermitfirearms
onschoolgroundsmayhavetosecureadditionalinsurancetomeettheirneedsifthey
allowfirearmsonschoolgrounds.
CSBAhasengagedindiscussionswithaschoolsinsurancegroupandaninsurance
servicesproviderregardingthepotentialliabilityforschooldistrictsandtheinsurers’
responsestoSB707‐relateddistrictpolicies.Atthistime,therearenotproductsinthe
insurancemarketthataremadetoaddressthepotentialliabilitiescreatedbythelaw,
althoughinsurersareapparentlyintheprocessofdeterminingwhatproductsmaysuffice.
Theproductsavailablemaybelimitedtocoveringschoolstaffcarryingconcealedfirearms
andusingthemunderspecificcircumstances,whichwouldmeanthatschooldistrict
insurancemaynotadequatelycovertherisksofliabilitycreatedwhenamemberofthe
publicisallowedtocarryaconcealedweapononschoolgrounds.Schooldistrictsshould
consultwiththeirinsurersandlegalcounseltodetermineifthepotentialcoverageis
enoughtoalleviateperceivedrisks,andconsiderthepotentialfinancialliabilitiestothe
districtinadditiontosafetyconcerns.
PublicRecordsActConsiderations:
TheCaliforniaPublicRecordsAct(“PRA”)providesthatpublicrecordsareopento
inspection.Publicrecordsincluderecordsoflicensestocarryconcealedweaponsand
applicationsforrenewalofthelicenses.7Theapplications,includingpersonalinformation,
areopentoinspectionwithonlylimitedexceptions.8InspectionofCCWapplicationsand
licensesallowsthepublictooverseeofficialswhohavetheauthoritytograntpermits,and
ensurepublicofficialsareactingproperlyinissuinglicensesforlegitimatereasons.
Applicationstoschooldistrictstocarryfirearmsonschoolgroundsandtherelatedrecords
willpresumablybeconsideredpublicrecordssubjecttoinspectionaswell.
In2015thelegislatureconsideredbutdidnotpassAB1154,abilltoexemptfrom
public‐recordlawsthephonenumbersandstreetaddressescontainedinapplicationsand
licensestocarryconcealedweapons.Supportersarguedthebillwouldprotecttheprivacy
andsafetyofpersonswithCCWlicenses.
7CBS,Inc.v.Block,42Cal.3d646(1986).
8ThePRAdoesnotrequiredisclosureofinformationcontainedinanapplicationforalicensetocarrya
firearmthatindicateswhenorwheretheapplicantisvulnerabletoattackorthatconcernstheapplicant’s
medicalorpsychologicalhistoryorthatofmembersofhisorherfamily.Also,thePRAalsodoesnotrequire
disclosureofthehomeaddressandtelephonenumberofprosecutors,publicdefenders,peaceofficers,
judges,courtcommissioners,andmagistratesthataresetforthinapplicationsforlicensesorinlicensesto
carryfirearms.(SeeGov.Code§6254.)
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OpenMeetingConsiderations:
SomedistrictshavehaddiscussionsabouttheirboardpoliciesaddressingSB707
duringopensession,andothershavediscussedtheminclosedsession,citingtoconcerns
aboutdisclosingsafetyplans.Anyportionofacomprehensivesafetyplanthatincludes
tacticalresponsestocriminalincidentsthatmayresultindeathorseriousbodilyinjuryat
theschoolsite,includingstepstobetakentosafeguardstudentsandstaff,securethe
affectedschoolpremises,andapprehendthecriminalperpetrator(s),shouldbedeveloped
bydistrictadministratorsinaccordancewithEducationCode32281.9Indevelopinga
tacticalresponseplan,includingthepotentialarmingofstaff,districtadministratorsmust
consultwithlawenforcementofficialsandwitharepresentativeofanemployeebargaining
unit.Whenreviewingthetacticalresponseplan,whichmayincludethecapabilityofstaffto
carryoraccessfirearms,aboardmaymeetinclosedsessiontoconferwithlaw
enforcementofficials,providedthatanyvotetoapprovethetacticalresponseplanis
announcedinopensessionfollowingtheclosedsession.10
Ifatacticalresponseplanisnotbeingconsidered,discussionaboutaboardpolicy
involvingthecarryingofconcealedweaponsonschoolgroundsshouldbeheldinopen
session.
9Tacticalresponseinthiscasemeansstepstakentosafeguardpupilsandstaff,tosecuretheaffectedschool
premises,andtoapprehendthecriminalperpetrator(s).
10SeeCSBASampleBoardPolicy0450(a),availableat
https://www.csba.org/GovernanceAndPolicyResources/ConditionsOfChildren/SafeSupportiveSchlEnvironm
ent/~/media/CSBA/Files/GovernanceResources/EducationIssues/ConditionsofChildren/SafeAndSupportive
SchoolEnv/SchoolSafetySampleBoardPolicies/BP0450ComprehensiveSafetyPlan.ashx
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AppendixA
ExceptionsthatAllowFirearmstobeCarriedonSchoolGroundswithoutDistrict
Permission
Theprohibitiononpossessingafirearmorammunitiononschoolgroundsdoesnotapply
infollowingsituations:
 Whenthefirearmisunloadedandinalockedcontainerorwithinthelockedtrunk
ofamotorvehicle.
 Whenthepersonpossessingthefirearmreasonablybelievesthatheorsheisin
gravedangerduetocircumstancesformingthebasisofacurrentrestrainingorder
againstanotherpersonwhohasbeenfoundtoposeathreattohisorhersafety.
 Whenapersonwithavalidlicensetocarryafirearmhasthefirearminanareathat
iswithin1,000feetofthegroundsoftheschool,butnotinoronschoolgrounds.(A
“schoolzone”includestheareawithin1,000feetfromthegroundsofapublicor
privateschool,buttherestrictionsonpossessingafirearmorammunitionunderSB
707arelimitedtoschoolgrounds.)
 Whenthepersoncarryingafirearmisadulyappointedpeaceofficer.
 Whenthepersoncarryingafirearmisasecurityguardauthorizedtocarryaloaded
firearm.
 Whenthepersoncarryingafirearmisanhonorablyretiredpeaceofficerauthorized
tocarryaconcealedorloadedfirearm.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

SampleBP3515.7–FirearmsOnSchoolGrounds,updatedtoreflectthepassageofSB707,isavailable
toPolicyServicesclientsonGamutOnline.

FulltextofSenateBill707,asapprovedisavailableat
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB707

AdditionalCSBAGovernanceandPolicyResourcesrelatedtoSchoolSafetyareavailableat
https://www.csba.org/GovernanceAndPolicyResources/ConditionsOfChildren/SafeSupportiveSchlEnvir
onment/SchoolSafety.aspx

Foradditionalguidance,contactCSBA’sOfficeoftheGeneralCounselat800‐266‐3382.
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