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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 912 (2026)

  Possession of weapon on school property.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 912.  Possession of weapon on school property.

(a)  Definition.--Notwithstanding the definition of "weapon" in section 907 (relating to possessing instruments of crime), "weapon" for purposes of this section shall include but not be limited to any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nun-chuck stick, firearm, shotgun, rifle and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury.

(b)  Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses a weapon in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any elementary or secondary publicly-funded educational institution, any elementary or secondary private school licensed by the Department of Education or any elementary or secondary parochial school.

(c)  Defense.--It shall be a defense that the weapon is possessed and used in conjunction with a lawful supervised school activity or course or is possessed for other lawful purpose.

(Oct. 16, 1980, P.L.978, No.167, eff. 60 days)

 

1980 Amendment.  Act 167 added section 912.

Cross References.  Section 912 is referred to in section 6105 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1999–2024 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Heidler, 741 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1999).
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Commonwealth v. Heidler, 741 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1999). · cites it 8× “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 912(a). It is undisputed that Appellant's handgun qualifies as a "weapon.”
Commonwealth v. Hicks, M., Aplt., 208 A.3d 916 (Pa. 2019). “, 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 912 -13, firearms lawfully may be carried in public in all parts of Pennsylvania.”
Picone Ex Rel. Picone v. Bangor Area Sch. Dist., 936 A.2d 556 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2007). · cites it 6× “2004), [6] instructive wherein the Superior Court addressed a nearly identical definition of "weapon" that appears in section 912 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 912. Section 912 of the Crimes Code makes it a crime to possess a "weapon" on school grounds.”
Bolden v. Chartiers Valley Sch. Dist., 869 A.2d 1134 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2005). · cites it 4× “The Hearing Examiner determined that (1) unintentionally bringing a loaded weapon onto school property was a violation of Section 912 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 912, which prohibits the possession of a weapon on school property, [3] and (2) Bolden lied on a number of *1137…”
Commonwealth v. Goslin, 156 A.3d 314 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). · cites it 3× “18 Pa.C.S. § 912(c). Factual and Procedural History On August 28, 2014, Appellant’s son was suspended from elementary school for three days for bringing a knife to school.”
Perry v. State Civil Serv. Comm'n, 38 A.3d 942 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2011). “This Court considered whether the director’s conduct violated Section 912 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 912, which prohibits possession of a weapon on school property.”
In the Interest of F.B., 726 A.2d 361 (Pa. 1999). · cites it 3× “18 Pa.C.S. § 912. 3 As appellant was a juvenile at the time of the offense, a proceeding in Juvenile Court was held where appellant was *666 adjudicated delinquent.”
In Re of Fb, 726 A.2d 361 (Pa. 1999). · cites it 6× “18 Pa.C.S. § 912. [3] As appellant was a juvenile at the time of the offense, a proceeding in Juvenile Court was held where appellant was *666 adjudicated delinquent.”
Zahorchak v. Neshannock Twp. Sch. Dist., 1 Pa. D. & C.5th 410 (2006). · cites it 8× “2 and 18 Pa.C.S. §912. Upon the petitioners’ filing the petition for review, a writ of certiorari was issued on May 12, 2006 by the Prothonotary of Lawrence County to the Neshannock Township School District, directing the filing of the certification of record, which…”
Com. v. McKenzie, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). · cites it 4× “— A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses a weapon in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any elementary or secondary publicly-funded educational institution, any elementary or secondary private…”
Bracken v. Manor Twp. (W.D. Pa. 2023). · cites it 3× “18 Pa. C. S. § 912. § 5503. Disorderly conduct (a) Offense defined.”
Charles Bracken v. Twp. of Manor (3rd Cir. 2024). · cites it 3× “” 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 912 (b); see also Giordano, 121 A.”
Show all 17 citing cases →
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 912(a) — 4 cases
Commonwealth v. Heidler, 741 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1999). “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 912(a). It is undisputed that Appellant's handgun qualifies as a "weapon.”
Picone Ex Rel. Picone v. Bangor Area Sch. Dist., 936 A.2d 556 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2007). “2004), [6] instructive wherein the Superior Court addressed a nearly identical definition of "weapon" that appears in section 912 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 912. Section 912 of the Crimes Code makes it a crime to possess a "weapon" on school grounds.”
In the Int. of: T.R.H., a Minor Appeal of: T.R.H. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).
Zahorchak v. Neshannock Twp. Sch. Dist., 1 Pa. D. & C.5th 410 (2006). “2 and 18 Pa.C.S. §912. Upon the petitioners’ filing the petition for review, a writ of certiorari was issued on May 12, 2006 by the Prothonotary of Lawrence County to the Neshannock Township School District, directing the filing of the certification of record, which…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 912(b) — 7 cases
Commonwealth v. Heidler, 741 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1999). “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 912(a). It is undisputed that Appellant's handgun qualifies as a "weapon.”
Com. v. McKenzie, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “— A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses a weapon in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any elementary or secondary publicly-funded educational institution, any elementary or secondary private…”
Bracken v. Manor Twp. (W.D. Pa. 2023). “18 Pa. C. S. § 912. § 5503. Disorderly conduct (a) Offense defined.”
Charles Bracken v. Twp. of Manor (3rd Cir. 2024). “” 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 912 (b); see also Giordano, 121 A.”
Com. v. Murray, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 912(c) — 2 cases
Commonwealth v. Goslin, 156 A.3d 314 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “18 Pa.C.S. § 912(c). Factual and Procedural History On August 28, 2014, Appellant’s son was suspended from elementary school for three days for bringing a knife to school.”
Com. v. McKenzie, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “— A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses a weapon in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any elementary or secondary publicly-funded educational institution, any elementary or secondary private…”
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