Was Suspended from School for Having Leatherman Micra. Seriously?

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NorthernShenanigans

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I'm a junior in high school. 3.9 GPA, sports, honor roll, etc, etc. Basically, a pretty cool kid. So, my school has an all-encompassing no weapons rule. But, the rule doesn't specifically state what the school considers a weapon. Of course, I'm not going to go wearing a plate carrier with a BK9 strapped to my pack, but within reason I'd like to be able to depend on myself. The Micra is perfect for a keyring, and it's what I use at school. Or, at least use to use. I was in class, and had to cut a thread on my jeans that wasn't coming out. The teacher (we'll call her Ms. Sheeple who's watched too much Dateline) was walking by. She saw this, and immediately gasped in horror. She grabbed my keyring out of my hand, called the resource officer, all the while saying that I was going to stab my fellow classmates and making a huge scene. Because Ms. Sheeple is incredibly tactful and knows how to manage herself when stressed. Ultimately, I was escorted home by the officer, lost my keys, and was suspended for a week. It kinda sucked. A lot. All of my peers strongly disagreed with the decision, and made their voices heard. in retaliation, the school is barely allowing safety scissors in the classrooms. I'm not nearly as old as a lot of you guys here, but I strongly believe that this is a big issue with how kids are being raised nowadays. Sounds odd, coming from someone who is still a kid himself. All of the teachers except for a small handful supported the decision to make the campus "safer" but not allowing any knives, tools, or pointed objects whatsoever. This is just wrong. I want to know what you guys think of this. Thanks!

Also, it all worked out in the end. I just transferred to a much nicer technical school, and three out of the five schooldays, we do our schooling downtown. I openly carry my Leatherman Surge, Blacked out Manix 2 XL, and a shiny, brand new Micra on my keys.

Still, it was an ordeal that I don't want to go through again. What do you guys think?
 
that is really suck. nice to hear you get better school.

I can understand why "kids" are not allowed to bring something potentially harmful to school, but again, it depends, and I think your teacher was excessively paranoid at that time.
 
Interesting tale. I'm not saying that I agree or disagree with the policy but I would think a "cool kid" would perhaps seek clarification of the all encompassing rule before carrying any bladed object to school. JMHO
 
I carry a Gerber dime on my keyring at school. No problems yet, but then again I use the scissors, instead of the knife if I need to cut something.
 
NorthernShenanigans said:
Because Ms. Sheeple is incredibly tactful and knows how to manage herself when stressed
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What does this mean, exactly? This conflicts with your prior statement that the teacher made "a huge scene".

You were escorted out by an officer due to the other party's tact and composure? How did you respond to the teacher taking your keys?
 
Look, kid, I don't think anyone here thinks you should have been suspended for carrying a knife. That said, you are a dope. Your school, safety officers, parents, and the media have been saying since day 1, no weapons in school. That means knives, guns, brass knuckles, wrenches....pretty much anything that is stabby or can be used as a blunt object. I mean, Mr. 3.9 GPA, have you ever read a newspaper? They suspend 5 year olds for making a gun with their fingers and saying bang!

NorthernShenanigans said:
I was in class, and had to cut a thread on my jeans that wasn't coming out.
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And just why exactly weren't you paying attention to the teacher during class and playing amateur tailor? No sympathy from me, bub. Rule #1 of blade carry...don't call attention to yourself.

NorthernShenanigans said:
I just transferred to a much nicer technical school, and three out of the five schooldays, we do our schooling downtown. I openly carry my Leatherman Surge, Blacked out Manix 2 XL, and a shiny, brand new Micra on my keys
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So, your principal and teachers are ok with you 'open carrying' your knives? I find that hard to believe.
 
You should've used the scissors instead of the knife blade.

I've debated bringing my Micra to school (I'm in high school as well) with the knife ground off, but New York laws and level of sheeple-ness are making me think otherwise.

So wait, what happened to your keys? Did you lose the entire keyring, just the Micra, or both?
 
That sucks man, but just because your young don't let teachers treat you that way. I would have just called your parents. And don't talk to anyone untill they arrive, its your right! When I was in jr high, our student handbook stated we could carry a 3" or smaller blade. And that was 2000-2003. I got in A LOT of trouble in my days at school, just don't fall victim to the "I'm your teacher, do what I say" nonesense. I would have put it back in my pocket and try to keep learning.
 
Northern if it's any consolation your writing is well composed and better than half the mugs on this forum. :) This is just par for some of the inequities in life that everyone deals with. Keep a chin up!
 
Zero tolerance rules suck but you're a kid and you have to follow them. If you're going to carry a multi tool, get one without a blade.
 
NorthernShenanigans said:
Still, it was an ordeal that I don't want to go through again. What do you guys think?
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Is it unfortunate that you can't carry a knife to school? Sure.

It's unfortunate I cant wear sweatpants to work, too.

Welcome to "grownupland." Prepare for even more of not getting your way.
 
I remember once bringing a bowie to school for sharpening in the metal workshop. It wasn't a problem since I had asked permission first. The teacher did look at me funny though.

I don't see the need for these uber strict policies, that said the rules are the rules and you have to abide by them. We live in a world where thinking the rules are idiotic is no excuse for not following them. All you can do is vote with your feet and go elsewhere. If you choose to not follow the rules then you have to be willing to put up with the consequences if/when caught.
 
You pretty much lost me at "pretty cool kid". Reminds of that song, "I'm an Alright Guy"

Still you asked for thoughts...

Check out the red a Micra in this picture. Notice something missing?


image by Pinnah, on Flickr

I love knives. I like to carry knives. I don't make a scene when flying for business though. I chopped the blade off my Micra and moved on with things.

I suspect there's more context than we know to your story. A young man just stabbed and killed another near me this week. I don't like restrictions either but I understand how and why they emerge.

Unfortunately, TSA caved on the move to adopt international standards that would allow for small on blades. If they had held the line (impossible in a post 9/11 era?), you might have been able to work with the school to adopt the TSA standards. So, you join the set of countless people who've lost Micras and Vic Classics during check in or in court houses.

Shrug. This surprises you?
 
Think then act. Shouldn't have had it out for the teacher to see it. A string can wait.
 
I think we as a the younger generation have a lot of crappy regulations and bad rules forced upon us, not to mention that, in my opinion, the average American looks down on us because we are "untrustworthy".

However, its our job as decent human beings to prove them otherwise, with good morals and a solid standing in what we believe in and how we act. I don't know what you thought when you decided to carry anything with a knife in it to school. I've never had a cutting task that a pair of scissors couldn't handle (in school), and to be honest at school they are the best option.

I firmly believe that you had a temporary laspe in judgment, so I won't condemn your actions because I doubt you were trying to challenge the system or anything dumb like that. However just please think before you act, because how one young person acts is unfortunately used to judge all of us.

Coming from a 18 year old college freshman. We can carry any common pocket knife, just like regular Florida law.
 
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When I was 17, I distinctly remember rules not directly implying to me. In general, we did everything that was on the cusp of breaking the rules and were in the gray area. My high school was a bit different, we had a trap and skeet range, a gun room, and I hunted with my classmates. Yes, we carried guns around campus, always an interesting sight walking down the first fairway when people were teeing off!

Anyway, bottom line, you should not have carried it. Unfortunately you have experienced at a young age the ways of our society. Get ready, it only gets worse. I am glad that you got into another school and it all worked out. One word to the wise, if there is a rule, find a "legal" way around it, like removing the knife blade from the Micra.

Where do you live? If having your freedoms not trampled upon by the sheeple and grabbers, I suggest when it comes time to go to college and or start a career, that you live in a state where your rights are protected. You are a bright kid, and as some other poster noted, it is a pleasant surprise to see someone who knows how to properly use The King's English. Keep you head up and look to the future.
 
leghog said:
Think then act. Shouldn't have had it out for the teacher to see it. A string can wait.
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Agree completely, a thread can wait. About the no weapon policy, well everyone in the world knows that knives are considered a weapon, and no one cares how big or small they are, they are knives. In that light here is no excuse to act ignorant about what is specified as weapon and what not.
The teacher also overreacted IMO, take the keys away, call the student in the principal's office after classes discuss and agree not to bring knives in school, issue warning etc. I do not see a reason for 1 week suspension here.
 
Fairness of the rules aside, your actions were foolhardy at best, and damn stupid at the worst. Open and frank discussion of rules you disagree with is one thing, a willingness to disregard them and then complain about the person/persons who caught you doing so is very different.
 
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