# 16 V.S.A. § 1166: Possession of a firearm at school

> Vermont · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1166

## Section

- **Citation:** 16 V.S.A. § 1166
- **Heading:** Possession of a firearm at school
- **Jurisdiction:** Vermont
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** VT Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 1166

## Text

(a) In this section, the terms “to school” and “firearm” shall have the same meaning that the terms have in 18 U.S.C. § 921. The school board may expand the definitions, however, provided they remain consistent with federal law.

(b) Each school board shall adopt and implement policies regarding a student who brings a firearm to or possesses a firearm at school, which at a minimum shall include:

(1) A provision that any student who brings a firearm to or possesses a firearm at school shall be referred to a law enforcement agency. In addition to any other action the law enforcement agency may take, it may report the incident to the Department for Children and Families.

(2) A provision that the superintendent or principal, with the approval of the school board following opportunity for a hearing, shall expel from the school for not less than one calendar year any student who brings a firearm to or possesses a firearm at school; provided, however, the school board may modify the expulsion on a case-by-case basis. Modifications may be granted in circumstances such as:

(A) The student is unaware that he or she has brought a firearm to or possessed a firearm at school.

(B) The student did not intend to use the firearm to threaten or endanger others.

(C) The student has a disability and the misconduct is related to the student's disability.

(D) The student does not present an ongoing threat to others and a lengthy expulsion would not serve the best interests of the student.

(c) Annually at a time and on a form determined by the Secretary, each superintendent shall provide the Secretary with a description of the circumstances surrounding expulsions imposed under this section, the number of students expelled, and the type of firearm involved.

## Nearby sections

- [16 V.S.A. § 1071 § 1071. School year and school day](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1071.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1072 § 1072. Legal holidays](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1072.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1073 § 1073. "Legal pupil" defined; access to school](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1073.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1074 § 1074. Age of student; "between" defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1074.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1075 § 1075. Legal residence defined; responsibility and payment of education of student](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1075.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1076 § 1076. Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1076.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1093 § 1093. Nonresident students](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1093.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1121 § 1121. Attendance by children of school age required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1121.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1122 § 1122. Students over 16](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1122.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1123 § 1123. Attendance may be excused](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1123.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1125 § 1125. Truant officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1125.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1126 § 1126. Failure to attend; notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1126.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1127 § 1127. Notice and complaint by truant officer; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1127.md)
- [16 V.S.A. § 1128 § 1128. Legal pupil taken to school; nonresident child living in district](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1128.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T16_C25_S1166. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.