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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kids, Guns, Expulsion In 44 States

Mandatory expulsion of students bringing guns to school is now the standard punishment in at least 44 states and the District of Columbia, the Education Department reported Thursday.

All but Kentucky and Michigan have passed state laws or enacted statewide policies in compliance with the Gun-Free Schools Act, Education Secretary Richard W. Riley said in a status report on the legislation.

Colorado, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota have taken some action on the issue but may not be in full compliance, Riley said.

President Clinton signed the act last year to require states within one year to enact “zero tolerance” policies on weapons in schools. Under the law, states risk losing federal education funds unless they enact policies of mandatory one-year expulsion of students carrying firearms to school.