Federal Gun Free Schools

The Federal Gun Free School Zone Act (Amended 1996)(18 USC 922) aims to enforce safety in areas designated as Gun Free School Zones, thereby promoting Civil Rights Education related to firearm possession laws. (2)(A) It shall be unlawful for any individual to knowingly possess a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone. (B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the possession of a firearm—(i) on private property not part of school grounds; (ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed by the State in which the school zone is located, with law enforcement verifying their qualifications; (iii) that is—(I) not loaded; and (II) in a locked container or a locked firearms rack on a motor vehicle; (iv) by an individual for use in a program approved by a school in the school zone; (v) by an individual according to a contract with a school in the school zone; (vi) by a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity; or (vii) that is unloaded and possessed by an individual traversing school premises to access public or private lands open to hunting, if authorized by school authorities. (3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), it is unlawful for any person, knowingly or with reckless disregard for the safety of others, to discharge or attempt to discharge a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place the person knows is a school zone. (B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the discharge of a firearm—(i) on private property not part of school grounds; (ii) as part of a program approved by a school in the school zone, by an individual participating in the program; (iii) by an individual under a contract with a school in a school zone; or (iv) by a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity. (4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preempting or preventing a State or local government from enacting statutes establishing Gun Free School Zones as provided in this subsection.