{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-277.07.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-277.07.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-277.07.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-277.07.html"}],"law_id":67657,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67657,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.07","catch_line":"Expulsion of students under certain circumstances; exceptions","history":"1995, cc. 724, 801; 1999, cc. 707, 1027; 2000, c. 523, \u00a7 22.1-277.01; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2003, cc. 843, 976; 2004, c. 930; 2006, c. 703; 2013, c. 288; 2014, cc. 109, 312, 765; 2016, c. 257; 2020, cc. 1111, 1112.","full_text":"A\n\nIn compliance with the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (Part F-Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994), a school board shall expel from school attendance for a period of not less than one year any student whom such school board has determined, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article, to have possessed a firearm on school property or at a school-sponsored activity as prohibited by § 18.2-308.1 or to have possessed a firearm or destructive device as defined in subsection E, a firearm muffler or firearm silencer, or a pneumatic gun as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4 on school property or at a school-sponsored activity. A school administrator, pursuant to school board policy, or a school board may, however, determine, based on the facts of a particular situation, that special circumstances exist and no disciplinary action or another disciplinary action or another term of expulsion is appropriate. A school board may promulgate guidelines for determining what constitutes special circumstances. In addition, a school board may, by regulation, authorize the division superintendent or his designee to conduct a preliminary review of such cases to determine whether a disciplinary action other than expulsion is appropriate. Such regulations shall ensure that, if a determination is made that another disciplinary action is appropriate, any such subsequent disciplinary action is to be taken in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a student’s expulsion regardless of the facts of the particular situation.B\n\nThe Board of Education is designated as the state education agency to carry out the provisions of the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 and shall administer the funds to be appropriated to the Commonwealth under this act.C\n\nEach school board shall revise its standards of student conduct no later than three months after the date on which this act becomes effective. Local school boards requesting moneys apportioned to the Commonwealth through the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 shall submit to the Department of Education an application requesting such assistance. Applications for assistance shall include:1\n\nDocumentation that the local school board has adopted and implemented student conduct policies in compliance with this section; and2\n\nA description of the circumstances pertaining to expulsions imposed under this section, including (i) the schools from which students were expelled under this section, (ii) the number of students expelled from each such school in the school division during the school year, and (iii) the types of firearms involved in the expulsions.D\n\nNo school operating a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program shall prohibit the JROTC program from conducting marksmanship training when such training is a normal element of such programs. Such programs may include training in the use of pneumatic guns. The administration of a school operating a JROTC program shall cooperate with the JROTC staff in implementing such marksmanship training.E\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Destructive device” means (i) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or other similar device; (ii) any weapon, except a shotgun or a shotgun shell generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes, by whatever name known that will, or may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and that has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter that is homemade or was not made by a duly licensed weapon manufacturer, any fully automatic firearm, any sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle as defined in § 18.2-299 or any firearm prohibited from civilian ownership by federal law; and (iii) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in this subsection and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. “Destructive device” does not include any device that is not designed or redesigned for use as a weapon, or any device originally designed for use as a weapon and that is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line-throwing, safety, or other similar device, nor shall it include any antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.\n\t\t\t“Firearm” means any weapon, including a starter gun, that will, or is designed or may readily be converted to, expel single or multiple projectiles by the action of an explosion of a combustible material or the frame or receiver of any such weapon. “Firearm” does not include any pneumatic gun, as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4.\n\t\t\t“One year” means 365 calendar days as required in federal regulations.\n\t\t\t“School property” means any real property owned or leased by the school board or any vehicle owned or leased by the school board or operated by or on behalf of the school board.F\n\nThe exemptions set out in §§ 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.016 regarding concealed weapons shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons who possess such firearm or firearms or pneumatic guns as a part of the curriculum or other programs sponsored by the schools in the school division or any organization permitted by the school to use its premises or to any law-enforcement officer while engaged in his duties as such.G\n\nThis section shall not be construed to diminish the authority of the Board of Education or the Governor concerning decisions on whether, or the extent to which, Virginia shall participate in the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994, or to diminish the Governor’s authority to coordinate and provide policy direction on official communications between the Commonwealth and the United States government.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":245107,"text":"In compliance with the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (Part F-Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994), a school board shall expel from school attendance for a period of not less than one year any student whom such school board has determined, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article, to have possessed a firearm on school property or at a school-sponsored activity as prohibited by § 18.2-308.1 or to have possessed a firearm or destructive device as defined in subsection E, a firearm muffler or firearm silencer, or a pneumatic gun as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4 on school property or at a school-sponsored activity. A school administrator, pursuant to school board policy, or a school board may, however, determine, based on the facts of a particular situation, that special circumstances exist and no disciplinary action or another disciplinary action or another term of expulsion is appropriate. A school board may promulgate guidelines for determining what constitutes special circumstances. In addition, a school board may, by regulation, authorize the division superintendent or his designee to conduct a preliminary review of such cases to determine whether a disciplinary action other than expulsion is appropriate. Such regulations shall ensure that, if a determination is made that another disciplinary action is appropriate, any such subsequent disciplinary action is to be taken in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a student’s expulsion regardless of the facts of the particular situation.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":245108,"text":"The Board of Education is designated as the state education agency to carry out the provisions of the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 and shall administer the funds to be appropriated to the Commonwealth under this act.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":245109,"text":"Each school board shall revise its standards of student conduct no later than three months after the date on which this act becomes effective. Local school boards requesting moneys apportioned to the Commonwealth through the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 shall submit to the Department of Education an application requesting such assistance. Applications for assistance shall include:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":245110,"text":"Documentation that the local school board has adopted and implemented student conduct policies in compliance with this section; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":245111,"text":"A description of the circumstances pertaining to expulsions imposed under this section, including (i) the schools from which students were expelled under this section, (ii) the number of students expelled from each such school in the school division during the school year, and (iii) the types of firearms involved in the expulsions.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":245112,"text":"No school operating a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program shall prohibit the JROTC program from conducting marksmanship training when such training is a normal element of such programs. Such programs may include training in the use of pneumatic guns. The administration of a school operating a JROTC program shall cooperate with the JROTC staff in implementing such marksmanship training.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":245113,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Destructive device” means (i) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or other similar device; (ii) any weapon, except a shotgun or a shotgun shell generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes, by whatever name known that will, or may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and that has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter that is homemade or was not made by a duly licensed weapon manufacturer, any fully automatic firearm, any sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle as defined in § 18.2-299 or any firearm prohibited from civilian ownership by federal law; and (iii) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in this subsection and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. “Destructive device” does not include any device that is not designed or redesigned for use as a weapon, or any device originally designed for use as a weapon and that is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line-throwing, safety, or other similar device, nor shall it include any antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.\n\t\t\t“Firearm” means any weapon, including a starter gun, that will, or is designed or may readily be converted to, expel single or multiple projectiles by the action of an explosion of a combustible material or the frame or receiver of any such weapon. “Firearm” does not include any pneumatic gun, as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4.\n\t\t\t“One year” means 365 calendar days as required in federal regulations.\n\t\t\t“School property” means any real property owned or leased by the school board or any vehicle owned or leased by the school board or operated by or on behalf of the school board.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"7":{"id":245114,"text":"The exemptions set out in §§ 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.016 regarding concealed weapons shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons who possess such firearm or firearms or pneumatic guns as a part of the curriculum or other programs sponsored by the schools in the school division or any organization permitted by the school to use its premises or to any law-enforcement officer while engaged in his duties as such.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"8":{"id":245115,"text":"This section shall not be construed to diminish the authority of the Board of Education or the Governor concerning decisions on whether, or the extent to which, Virginia shall participate in the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994, or to diminish the Governor’s authority to coordinate and provide policy direction on official communications between the Commonwealth and the United States government.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13097,"edition_id":1,"name":"Discipline","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12850,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":182375,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13097,"identifier":"3","token":"22.1\/14\/3","url":"\/22.1\/14\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12850,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pupils","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":182133,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12850,"identifier":"14","token":"22.1\/14","url":"\/22.1\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12823,"edition_id":1,"name":"Education","identifier":"22.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":180949,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12823,"identifier":"22.1","token":"22.1","url":"\/22.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84373,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-276\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276","metadata":false},{"id":77797,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.01","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/22.1-276.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.01","metadata":false},{"id":59130,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/22.1-276.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.1","metadata":false},{"id":59973,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.2","catch_line":"Removal of students from classes","url":"\/22.1-276.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.2","metadata":false},{"id":67307,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.3","catch_line":"Ineligibility of students to compete in athletic competitions","url":"\/22.1-276.3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.3","metadata":false},{"id":87441,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277","catch_line":"Suspensions and expulsions of students generally","url":"\/22.1-277\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277","metadata":false},{"id":60099,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-277.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.01","metadata":false},{"id":56964,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.04","catch_line":"Short-term suspension; 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hazing prevention training program","url":"\/22.1-279.9\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.9","metadata":false},{"id":76810,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-280\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280","metadata":false},{"id":85922,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-280.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.1","metadata":false},{"id":74356,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2","catch_line":"School crime line defined; development of school crime lines authorized; local school boards' authority; Board to promulgate regulations","url":"\/22.1-280.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2","metadata":false},{"id":65627,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:1","catch_line":"Employment of school security officers","url":"\/22.1-280.2_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":62442,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:2","catch_line":"Public School Security Equipment Grant Act of 2013","url":"\/22.1-280.2_2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":78459,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:3","catch_line":"School boards; safety and security personnel","url":"\/22.1-280.2_3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_3","metadata":false},{"id":74189,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:4","catch_line":"School boards; firearms on school property","url":"\/22.1-280.2_4\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_4","metadata":false},{"id":54225,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-280.3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.3","metadata":false},{"id":54838,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.4","catch_line":"School board action regarding destruction of property","url":"\/22.1-280.4\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68982,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.06","catch_line":"Expulsions; procedures; readmission","url":"\/22.1-277.06\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.06","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68041,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.07:1","catch_line":"Policies prohibiting possession of firearms","url":"\/22.1-277.07_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.07_1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-277.07\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 724<\/a> and 801<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 10 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1999, chapters 707<\/a> and 1027<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 523<\/a>; in 2001, chapters 688<\/a> and 820<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 843<\/a> and 976<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 930<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 703<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 288<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 109<\/a>, 312<\/a>, and 765<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 257<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1111<\/a> and 1112<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57319,"section_number":"22.1-200.1","catch_line":"Optional education programs for kindergarten through grade five","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-200.1\/"},{"id":64677,"section_number":"22.1-254","catch_line":"Compulsory attendance required; excuses and waivers; alternative education program attendance; exemptions from article","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-254\/"},{"id":87441,"section_number":"22.1-277","catch_line":"Suspensions and expulsions of students generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277\/"},{"id":74747,"section_number":"22.1-277.05","catch_line":"Long-term suspensions; procedures; readmission","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.05\/"},{"id":68982,"section_number":"22.1-277.06","catch_line":"Expulsions; procedures; readmission","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.06\/"},{"id":68197,"section_number":"22.1-277.2:1","catch_line":"Disciplinary authority of school boards under certain circumstances; alternative education program","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.2_1\/"},{"id":64442,"section_number":"22.1-279.3:1","catch_line":"Reports of certain acts to school authorities; reports of certain acts by school authorities to parents; reports of certain acts by school authorities to law enforcement","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.3_1\/"},{"id":74451,"section_number":"22.1-279.6","catch_line":"Board of Education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct; school board regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.6\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79348,"section_number":"15.2-915.4","catch_line":"Counties, cities and towns authorized to regulate use of pneumatic guns","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-915.4\/"},{"id":86389,"section_number":"18.2-299","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-299\/"},{"id":56600,"section_number":"18.2-308","catch_line":"Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308\/"},{"id":77788,"section_number":"18.2-308.016","catch_line":"Retired law-enforcement officers; carrying a concealed handgun","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.016\/"},{"id":58832,"section_number":"18.2-308.1","catch_line":"Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.1\/"},{"id":80010,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:2","catch_line":"Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.2_2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182417,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67657,"identifier":"22.1-277.07","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.07","url":"\/22.1-277.07\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-277.07\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.07","dublin_core":{"Title":"Expulsion of students under certain circumstances; exceptions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-277.07","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In compliance with the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (Part F-Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994), a school board<\/span> shall expel from school attendance for a period of not less than one year<\/span> any student whom such school board<\/span> has determined, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article, to have possessed a firearm<\/span> on school property<\/span> or at a school-sponsored activity as prohibited by § 18.2-308.1<\/a> or to have possessed a firearm<\/span> or destructive device<\/span> as defined in subsection E, a firearm<\/span> muffler or firearm<\/span> silencer, or a pneumatic gun as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4<\/a> on school property<\/span> or at a school-sponsored activity. A school administrator, pursuant to school board<\/span> policy, or a school board<\/span> may, however, determine, based on the facts<\/span> of a particular situation, that special circumstances exist and no disciplinary action or another disciplinary action or another term of expulsion is appropriate. A school board<\/span> may promulgate guidelines for determining what constitutes special circumstances. In addition, a school board<\/span> may, by regulation, authorize the division superintendent<\/span> or his designee to conduct a preliminary review of such cases to determine whether a disciplinary action other than expulsion is appropriate. Such regulations shall ensure that, if a determination is made that another disciplinary action is appropriate, any such subsequent disciplinary action is to be taken in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a student’s expulsion regardless of the facts<\/span> of the particular situation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board of Education is designated as the state education agency to carry out the provisions of the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 and shall administer the funds to be appropriated to the Commonwealth under this act. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Each school board<\/span> shall revise its standards of student conduct no later than three months after the date on which this act becomes effective. Local school boards<\/span> requesting moneys apportioned to the Commonwealth through the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 shall submit to the Department<\/span> of Education an application requesting such assistance. Applications for assistance shall include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Documentation that the local school board<\/span> has adopted and implemented student conduct policies in compliance with this section; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A description of the circumstances pertaining to expulsions imposed under this section, including (i) the schools from which students were expelled under this section, (ii) the number of students expelled from each such school in the school division during the school year, and (iii) the types of firearms<\/span> involved in the expulsions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No school operating a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program shall prohibit the JROTC program from conducting marksmanship training when such training is a normal element of such programs. Such programs may include training in the use of pneumatic guns. The administration of a school operating a JROTC program shall cooperate with the JROTC staff in implementing such marksmanship training. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Destructive device<\/span>” means (i) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or other similar device; (ii) any weapon, except a shotgun or a shotgun shell generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes, by whatever name known that will, or may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and that has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter that is homemade or was not made by a duly licensed weapon manufacturer, any fully automatic firearm<\/span>, any sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle as defined in § 18.2-299<\/a> or any firearm<\/span> prohibited from civilian ownership by federal law<\/span>; and (iii) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device<\/span> described in this subsection and from which a destructive device<\/span> may be readily assembled. “Destructive device<\/span>” does not include any device that is not designed or redesigned for use as a weapon, or any device originally designed for use as a weapon and that is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line-throwing, safety, or other similar device, nor shall it include any antique firearm<\/span> as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2<\/a>.\n\t\t\t“Firearm<\/span>” means any weapon, including a starter gun, that will, or is designed or may readily be converted to, expel single or multiple projectiles by the action of an explosion of a combustible material<\/span> or the frame or receiver of any such weapon. “Firearm<\/span>” does not include any pneumatic gun, as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4<\/a>.\n\t\t\t“One year<\/span>” means 365 calendar days as required in federal regulations.\n\t\t\t“School property<\/span>” means any real property owned or leased by the school board<\/span> or any vehicle owned or leased by the school board<\/span> or operated by or on behalf of the school board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The exemptions set out in §§ 18.2-308<\/a> and 18.2-308.016<\/a> regarding concealed weapons shall apply, mutatis mutandis<\/span>, to the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons who possess such firearm<\/span> or firearms<\/span> or pneumatic guns as a part of the curriculum or other programs sponsored by the schools in the school division or any organization permitted by the school to use its premises or to any law<\/span>-enforcement officer while engaged in his duties as such. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> This section shall not be construed to diminish the authority of the Board of Education or the Governor concerning decisions on whether, or the extent to which, Virginia shall participate in the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994, or to diminish the Governor’s authority to coordinate and provide policy direction on official communications between the Commonwealth and the United States government. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXPULSION OF STUDENTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; EXCEPTIONS (\u00a7 22.1-277.07)\n\nA. In compliance with the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994\n(Part F-Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994), a school board shall expel from school\nattendance for a period of not less than one year any student whom such school\nboard has determined, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this\narticle, to have possessed a firearm on school property or at a school-sponsored\nactivity as prohibited by § 18.2-308.1 or to have possessed a firearm or\ndestructive device as defined in subsection E, a firearm muffler or firearm\nsilencer, or a pneumatic gun as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4 on\nschool property or at a school-sponsored activity. A school administrator,\npursuant to school board policy, or a school board may, however, determine,\nbased on the facts of a particular situation, that special circumstances exist\nand no disciplinary action or another disciplinary action or another term of\nexpulsion is appropriate. A school board may promulgate guidelines for\ndetermining what constitutes special circumstances. In addition, a school board\nmay, by regulation, authorize the division superintendent or his designee to\nconduct a preliminary review of such cases to determine whether a disciplinary\naction other than expulsion is appropriate. Such regulations shall ensure that,\nif a determination is made that another disciplinary action is appropriate, any\nsuch subsequent disciplinary action is to be taken in accordance with the\nprocedures set forth in this article. Nothing in this section shall be construed\nto require a student’s expulsion regardless of the facts of the particular\nsituation.\n\nB. The Board of Education is designated as the state education agency to carry\nout the provisions of the federal Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994\nand shall administer the funds to be appropriated to the Commonwealth under this\nact.\n\nC. Each school board shall revise its standards of student conduct no later than\nthree months after the date on which this act becomes effective. Local school\nboards requesting moneys apportioned to the Commonwealth through the federal\nImproving America’s Schools Act of 1994 shall submit to the Department of\nEducation an application requesting such assistance. Applications for assistance\nshall include:\n\n 1. Documentation that the local school board has adopted and implemented\n student conduct policies in compliance with this section; and\n\n 2. A description of the circumstances pertaining to expulsions imposed under\n this section, including (i) the schools from which students were expelled\n under this section, (ii) the number of students expelled from each such school\n in the school division during the school year, and (iii) the types of firearms\n involved in the expulsions.\n\nD. No school operating a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program\nshall prohibit the JROTC program from conducting marksmanship training when such\ntraining is a normal element of such programs. Such programs may include\ntraining in the use of pneumatic guns. The administration of a school operating\na JROTC program shall cooperate with the JROTC staff in implementing such\nmarksmanship training.\n\nE. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Destructive device” means (i) any explosive, incendiary, or\npoison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four\nounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than\none-quarter ounce, mine, or other similar device; (ii) any weapon, except a\nshotgun or a shotgun shell generally recognized as particularly suitable for\nsporting purposes, by whatever name known that will, or may be readily converted\nto, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and\nthat has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter that is\nhomemade or was not made by a duly licensed weapon manufacturer, any fully\nautomatic firearm, any sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle as defined in §\n18.2-299 or any firearm prohibited from civilian ownership by federal law; and\n(iii) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting\nany device into any destructive device described in this subsection and from\nwhich a destructive device may be readily assembled. “Destructive\ndevice” does not include any device that is not designed or redesigned for\nuse as a weapon, or any device originally designed for use as a weapon and that\nis redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line-throwing, safety, or\nother similar device, nor shall it include any antique firearm as defined in\n§ 18.2-308.2:2.\n\t\t\t“Firearm” means any weapon, including a starter gun, that will,\nor is designed or may readily be converted to, expel single or multiple\nprojectiles by the action of an explosion of a combustible material or the frame\nor receiver of any such weapon. “Firearm” does not include any\npneumatic gun, as defined in subsection E of § 15.2-915.4.\n\t\t\t“One year” means 365 calendar days as required in federal\nregulations.\n\t\t\t“School property” means any real property owned or leased by the\nschool board or any vehicle owned or leased by the school board or operated by\nor on behalf of the school board.\n\nF. The exemptions set out in §§ 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.016 regarding\nconcealed weapons shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this\nsection. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons who possess\nsuch firearm or firearms or pneumatic guns as a part of the curriculum or other\nprograms sponsored by the schools in the school division or any organization\npermitted by the school to use its premises or to any law-enforcement officer\nwhile engaged in his duties as such.\n\nG. This section shall not be construed to diminish the authority of the Board of\nEducation or the Governor concerning decisions on whether, or the extent to\nwhich, Virginia shall participate in the federal Improving America’s\nSchools Act of 1994, or to diminish the Governor’s authority to coordinate\nand provide policy direction on official communications between the Commonwealth\nand the United States government.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, cc. 724, 801; 1999, cc. 707, 1027; 2000, c. 523, \u00a7 22.1-277.01;\n2001, cc. 688, 820; 2003, cc. 843, 976; 2004, c. 930; 2006, c. 703; 2013, c.\n288; 2014, cc. 109, 312, 765; 2016, c. 257; 2020, cc. 1111, 1112.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}