Tasers, gel blasters and flick knives among illegal weapons WA kids have brought to public schools

Tasers, flick knives, gel blasters, BB guns and knuckledusters were among prohibited weapons kids have brought to WA public schools in the past four years.

Figures released in Parliament reveal that 184 incidents of students taking illegal weapons on to school grounds have been reported since 2021.

They include 52 cases involving flick knives or switchblades. Of those, five have been reported since the start of this year.

Another 25 incidents involved butterfly knives, which can be easily opened and closed with one hand, and there were 10 reports of knuckle dusters.

Electric shock weapons — or tasers — were reportedly brought to schools on 34 occasions.

Students were reported for 14 incidents involving gel blasters, six involving airsoft guns which fire projectiles known as BB pellets, and two involving spud guns.

Last year, 42 incidents were recorded, compared with 41 in 2023, 38 in 2022 and 48 in 2021. Fifteen incidents had been reported by May 20 this year.

Since 2023, just one student has been expelled from a public school over an incident involving a prohibited weapon.

State School Teachers Union president Matt Jarman said the figures were worrying.

“One weapon in a school is too many,” he said. “While numbers appear to be reducing, it remains a great concern that students feel the need to take weapons to school, at any time, or for any reason.”

Mr Jarman said pupils should be suspended immediately if they brought a weapon to school, and principals should be assured of the Education Department’s support for such action.

“It is equally important that parents play their part in managing this sort of behaviour,” he said. “Children should not have access to items like butterfly knives or switchblades, never mind be taking them to school.”

Shadow education minister Liam Staltari said it was concerning to see so many prohibited weapons being brought into schools.

“The Government must step up to give teachers and principals more support and fund diversion programs for at-risk students,” he said.

Education Department deputy director-general for schools Steve Watson noted these were isolated occurrences involving only a small number of students.

“There is absolutely no excuse for students to bring a weapon onto school grounds,” he said. “Incidents involving weapons, where a student has the intent to injure someone or cause someone to fear that they will be injured, is a serious breach of school discipline and the student must be suspended immediately.

“Principals contact WA Police immediately if a weapon deemed to be prohibited or controlled is found on school site or during school activities.”