Should Zero Tolerance Laws Be Re-Written?

The Cobb County District Attorney wants the State of Georgia to look at its current "zero tolerance" weapons policy in public schools and make changes that would de-criminalize some current violations.

"There has to be some discretion, some wiggle room built into these laws," Reynolds told 11 Alive News on Thursday.

Currently, if a student accidentally brings a pocket knife to school, they are suspended, arrested, and could face criminal charges.

Recently, Lassiter High School senior Cody Chitwood was arrested and charged with a felony after authorities discovered knives inside a tackle box in his locked car.

Chitwood's case was dropped, but Reynolds feels that it shouldn't have been an issue to begin with.

The prosecutor is going to ask the state legislature to re-write the zero tolerance laws, allowing for more leeway in the case of honest mistakes and the judging of offenses on a case-by-case basis.

However, school administrators are none too pleased with this possible relaxing of zero tolerance.

Arguments against less stringent weapons laws include the possibility that a disturbed or violent unarmed student could acquire weapons from a student's car and use them to hurt people.

What do you think about the current zero tolerance laws in Georgia's public schools? Do you agree with Vic Reynolds' arguments? Tell us in the comments!