Ahe Ashland School District has banned members of the public -- even those with a concealed handgun license -- from bearing arms on its property.

According to the district, Oregon law has allowed members of the public possessing a concealed carry license to carry firearms on district property in accordance with ORS 166.370(3)(g). SB 554 from the 2021 Session allows districts to prohibit even those with concealed carry licenses from carrying firearms by adopting a policy and posting notice at entry points.

The Oregon School Board Association considers this policy to be conditionally required because if the district wants to prohibit concealed carry licensees from carrying firearms on district property, the district must adopt a policy. If the district does not want to limit concealed carry licensees, the district does not need to adopt this policy.

The policy, which was presented by Superintendent Samuel Bogdanove to the Ashland School District Board of Directors School Board Chaired by Victor Chang, reads:

No person on grounds of the schools controlled by the Board (including in school buildings), will possess any firearm, except when said firearm is possessed by a person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing the firearm, and is unloaded and locked in a motor vehicle. The exception provided in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 166.370(3)(g) for concealed carry licensees (see ORS 166.291 and 166.292) does not apply to the possession of firearms on grounds of the schools controlled by the Board.

Firearms under the control of law enforcement personnel are permitted. The superintendent may authorize other persons to possess weapons for courses, programs and activities when in compliance with law and board policy. Any person violating or threatening to violate the above rules, as determined by the district, may be issued a trespass citation, ejected from the premises and referred to law enforcement officials.

The district will post clearly visible sign(s) at all normal points of entry to the school grounds subject to this policy indicating that the affirmative defense described in ORS 166.370(3)(g) does not apply. The district will post on the district’s web pages designated for school board operations, identifying designated school grounds that are subject to this policy.

Kevin Starrett, the Director of the Oregon Firearms Federation noted "Ashland joins Salem- Keizer and other left leaning school boards in banning the most law abiding and responsible people from their property. Now, lawfully armed parents may not even drop off or pick up their kids from the schools they pay for let alone attend a sporting event or school function. These schools boards have advertised a giant bull’s eye on the backs of the kids they are supposed to be caring for. Especially ironic so soon after we have learned that you cannot rely on responding police to stop a mass murderer.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-11 06:31:26

Last Update: 2022-08-10 20:06:50