Any person, including a student, who willfully threatens on school grounds by word or act to use a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon to do violence to any other person on school grounds is guilty of a misdemeanor. The threats prohibited by this section encompass only those statements of acts where the speaker or actor intends to communicate a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals. The prosecution is not required to prove that the defendant actually intended to carry out the threat.
Definitions as used in this section:
- “Deadly or dangerous weapon” means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury.
- “Firearm” means any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot, projectile or other object may be discharged by force or combustion, explosive, gas and/or mechanical means, regardless of whether such weapon is operable.
- “On school grounds” means in, or on the property of, a public or private elementary or secondary school. [IC 18-3302I]
Principals/administrators shall investigate reports of threats of violence and complete a written report for submittal to the School Liaison Officer. (6-27-06)