Was Suspended from School for Having Leatherman Micra. Seriously?

[mr_anderson]

You have to remember, kids are being suspended for having butter knives too, plastic ones too.

 

[iwouldhurtafly]

When I was in school almost all of the guys had blades just the same as they wore pants. However, you would have never known it because no one was cutting threads off their pants during the middle of class... At the same time that we were not waving our blades in front of our teachers during instruction there were zero knife fights or otherwise vandalism with the blades, and there was not any worry about it either. Most of the guys had hunting rifles and bows on racks in their trucks too.

So in conclusion OP I am struggling with your post... obviously you got in trouble for breaking the rules, and you did not like it... well yes it is a shame that our schools have been reduced down to safety, zero tolerance, bubble wrap zones and I understand all that, but you got in trouble, probably is not the first time, and probably wont be the last. Dont blame the teacher or the establishment blame a bunch of sick people who decided to do harm on school grounds... and next time keep it in your pants. However, It will be ok.

 

[Karda]

C'mon fellow bladeforums posters, we sound like a bunch of ancient, hyper-authoritarian rule-bound fossils: "welcome to the real world! zero tolerance! know the rules and follow them!"

Wrong. This school's "weapons" policy and arbitrary enforcement procedures are fundamentally unreasonable. The blade of a Leatherman micra is no more dangerous than the common pencil, a chair raised as a "weapon," or any blunt object commonly found in a classroom. In this situation, the teacher was obscenely ignorant of a basic tool and construed it as a weapon given her sheltered, sad station in life.

We should not be criticizing this young man for behaving in a reasonable manner. It is the absurd, ridiculous policies of the school that deserve scorn, and I commend this young man for standing up for reasonable, safe behavior that multi-tool carriers practice on a daily basis.

There are many ways to slay absurd rules and regulations. One way is to defy them with impunity. But, as this thread evidences, defiance has a heavy price at times. Another way, and one for the young man to consider, is to find ways to beat the rules. Deep pockets and two glances, my friend, deep pockets and two glances.

Wrong. Rules/Laws get put in place because people tend to push boundaries or think that somehow the rules don't apply to them. Then there are those that feel that don't need to follow anything they don't agree with. The thing that these all have in common is that they are self centered/selfish behaviors that are not necessarily good for everyone as a whole. They way to change is not outright defiance or breaking the rules/laws, but to pursue to change them thru legal means. Until then one is bound to follow them the same as everyone else.

Man you guys sure are being dicks to this poor guy... Yeah he probably should have used scissors in class, but he made a mistake... not every one of you has to rub it in his face and make him feel bad! Jeez people... And you all are acting as if we should all just accept it... its that attitude EXACTLY that has allowed for knife paranoia to attain its current level! You fools are just as much sheep as the "sheeple" you always make fun of, because you always just go along with the rules and play nice...like SHEEP.

I highly suggest in the future you refrain from insulting the membership/other posters in this manner. It is an infractionable offense to do so. You can and will do better.


The OP had a responsibility to know his schools rule/policy. He chose to be ignorant of them. He chose to disobey them.
He caused his own problem and now has to pay the consequences for his actions. The teacher was only doing her job according to the policy given her. If she did not, her job could be jeopardized. I would far rather have a good teacher looking out to protect our schoolage children than to ignore the situation until someone gets hurt.

 

[flarp]

You have to remember, kids are being suspended for having butter knives too, plastic ones too.

Kids are also being suspended for having both a thumb and an index finger on the same hand (link). At least that case was eventually cleared up by the school board (link).

 

[Moxy]

I'm a engineering student at SDSU, and I carry whatever I want everyday to class. Technically the campus has a 2.5in blade length limit. So that pretty much means all I can is my Dodo. Nothing wrong with that, I love my dodo. But realistically I've carried all my knives on campus at one point or another. That being said, it's very rare that I ever need a knife at school, and certainly never during class. A few of my professors had a Victorinox SAKs hanging from their keys, and I'm pretty sure the clip hanging off my Logic Design professor's pocket has a spider on it. Am I breaking the rules, yes. Would I be surprised if I get dinged for it one day, no. But I recognize that weapons on campus is a touchy subject and I'm surrounded by sheeple that also watch too much dateline. So I keep it in my pocket, and if I do need to use it I'm very discreet with it.

 

[sebaldus]

...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.

I don't know why people think all other people are homicidal maniacs.

 

[JasonG]

C'mon fellow bladeforums posters, we sound like a bunch of ancient, hyper-authoritarian rule-bound fossils: "welcome to the real world! zero tolerance! know the rules and follow them!"

Wrong. This school's "weapons" policy and arbitrary enforcement procedures are fundamentally unreasonable. The blade of a Leatherman micra is no more dangerous than the common pencil, a chair raised as a "weapon," or any blunt object commonly found in a classroom. In this situation, the teacher was obscenely ignorant of a basic tool and construed it as a weapon given her sheltered, sad station in life.

We should not be criticizing this young man for behaving in a reasonable manner. It is the absurd, ridiculous policies of the school that deserve scorn, and I commend this young man for standing up for reasonable, safe behavior that multi-tool carriers practice on a daily basis.

There are many ways to slay absurd rules and regulations. One way is to defy them with impunity. But, as this thread evidences, defiance has a heavy price at times. Another way, and one for the young man to consider, is to find ways to beat the rules. Deep pockets and two glances, my friend, deep pockets and two glances.

I completely agree with you! You guys with your zero tolerance are a bunch of sheeple yourself, and have no right to criticize them again. It's a tiny leathermen for goodness sakes. I could do more damage with a fart

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Discretion is the better part of valor.

It's important to use knives in settings where you won't cause a ruckus or get yourself in trouble for doing so--read your environment to best determine whether your proposed action is appropriate or not. Did the teacher overreact? Yes. Could the incident have easily been avoided in the first place? Yes again. If intending to carry and/or use a knife in situations where the public is prone towards being reactionary, be sure to choose a model with an unmistakably friendly appearance, and with as many features (or lack thereof) as possible that negate its potential use as a weapon. When used in such setting, be careful to project a non-threatening appearance and manner, and don't make a show of things. Get the job done and get the tool back in your pocket. And only perform those tasks at times that are appropriate.

 

[Bigfattyt]

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?

I detect a deficiency in your sarcasm-o-meter (I say sarcastically). You better get that thing checked. Inability to detect sarcasm can lead to all sorts of embarrassing, possibly life threatening situations.




To the OP, time to pay attention to rules. You moved to an alternative school, where you carry bigger knives? I smell a second suspension coming on. You will run out of schools soon. Rules don't cease to apply, simply because they are silly, or stupid.


Court is full of people who don't think rules apply to them.



This is coming from some one who grew up carrying knives to school. It was pretty normal. But I did not ever have them exposed in class either.

On a weekend field trip I did once have a teacher borrow my machete to go harvest some edible plants. She gave it right back when she was done, and told me to put it in my bag. That was in 5th grade.

The year after I graduated, there was one of the earlier school shootings in my home town (1995).

All the schools are zero tolerance now.


My point is that it is simply time to take stock the rules that apply to you, and think about doing what is required. An act of defiance by you simply places your education, your parents finances, and frankly, your future education at risk.

For my profession, I am constantly in the court house and jails. I don't even take non locking tiny folders in there. I have had the Sheriffs office try and refuse to check them (when I forget one in a pocket, I will check it, rather than go back out to the car). They tell me, "oh, those don't count as weapons". My response is "the jail disagrees". I'm not risking it, even in the court, where they really simply would not care that I had a little folding knife (the security guards have also told me it is not against rules). But the security guard has not read the statute (it is posted on the wall).


That may sound "fuddy-duddy" but as some one who deals with youth (and adults) charged with crimes, it is advice that may save you from trouble in the future.

 

[HwangJino]

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.

Hahaha truth.

 

[Ken44]

Wrong. Rules/Laws get put in place because people tend to push boundaries or think that somehow the rules don't apply to them. Then there are those that feel that don't need to follow anything they don't agree with. The thing that these all have in common is that they are self centered/selfish behaviors that are not necessarily good for everyone as a whole. They way to change is not outright defiance or breaking the rules/laws, but to pursue to change them thru legal means. Until then one is bound to follow them the same as everyone else.



I highly suggest in the future you refrain from insulting the membership/other posters in this manner. It is an infractionable offense to do so. You can and will do better.


The OP had a responsibility to know his schools rule/policy. He chose to be ignorant of them. He chose to disobey them.
He caused his own problem and now has to pay the consequences for his actions. The teacher was only doing her job according to the policy given her. If she did not, her job could be jeopardized. I would far rather have a good teacher looking out to protect our schoolage children than to ignore the situation until someone gets hurt.

I agree. Can't think of a time I haven't agreed with Karda.
And especially with this part....."They way to change is not outright defiance or breaking the rules/laws, but to pursue to change them thru legal means. Until then one is bound to follow them the same as everyone else."

You guys with your zero tolerance are a bunch of sheeple yourself, and have no right to criticize them again.

Did you not see Karda's warning ?

 

[fetzer85]

I've gotta echo a lot of the previous posters - rules are rules. Doesn't matter how cool or smart or good looking you are. I'm 28 and from what I remember in high school, there was no need for a knife anyways. Trimming your pants? Gimme a break. If you're willing to break rules then you should also be willing to accept the consequences if you're caught. From the sound of it though you're acting like everything is ok or even better than before, so in fact you're pretty lucky.

 

[evanPGH]

Discretion is the better part of valor.

It's important to use knives in settings where you won't cause a ruckus or get yourself in trouble for doing so--read your environment to best determine whether your proposed action is appropriate or not. Did the teacher overreact? Yes. Could the incident have easily been avoided in the first place? Yes again. If intending to carry and/or use a knife in situations where the public is prone towards being reactionary, be sure to choose a model with an unmistakably friendly appearance, and with as many features (or lack thereof) as possible that negate its potential use as a weapon. When used in such setting, be careful to project a non-threatening appearance and manner, and don't make a show of things. Get the job done and get the tool back in your pocket. And only perform those tasks at times that are appropriate.

This one word.

Using it could have prevented the situation. Cool kids use discretion.

Wait until class is over or use the scissors (which is the whole point of having a Micra anyway).

That being said, when I was your age, if I would've been caught doing that and been issued that punishment I would have been equally bs about it.

 

[sideways]

I completely agree with you! You guys with your zero tolerance are a bunch of sheeple yourself, and have no right to criticize them again. It's a tiny leathermen for goodness sakes. I could do more damage with a fart

Uh huh. So the rules don't apply to bad asses? Is that what you are saying? What about taxes? Does a bad ass still have to pay taxes? What if they are unreasonable taxes?

 

[Scurvy092]

C'mon fellow bladeforums posters, we sound like a bunch of ancient, hyper-authoritarian rule-bound fossils: "welcome to the real world! zero tolerance! know the rules and follow them!"

Wrong. This school's "weapons" policy and arbitrary enforcement procedures are fundamentally unreasonable. The blade of a Leatherman micra is no more dangerous than the common pencil, a chair raised as a "weapon," or any blunt object commonly found in a classroom. In this situation, the teacher was obscenely ignorant of a basic tool and construed it as a weapon given her sheltered, sad station in life.

We should not be criticizing this young man for behaving in a reasonable manner. It is the absurd, ridiculous policies of the school that deserve scorn, and I commend this young man for standing up for reasonable, safe behavior that multi-tool carriers practice on a daily basis.

There are many ways to slay absurd rules and regulations. One way is to defy them with impunity. But, as this thread evidences, defiance has a heavy price at times. Another way, and one for the young man to consider, is to find ways to beat the rules. Deep pockets and two glances, my friend, deep pockets and two glances.

This sounds like the hippies who like to sit around and smoke pot and complain about the world while never doing anything.

I think we can all agree that zero tolerance policies are asinine but the proper action is to not flaunt the rules in protest.

If the OP was so concerned with his schools rules and policies he should have worked to change them. He could have ran for school office, petitioned the principal, written letters and do ACTUAL work towards fixing an unfair policy.


Breaking rules you know exist and then complaining about them is silly and accomplishes nothing.

 

[not2sharp]

I don't know why people think all other people are homicidal maniacs.

We treat them as such because enough of them are proven homicidal maniacs. Unfortunately, our society has grown way too sensitive to segregate the dangerous from the law abiding citizen, so we must treat all as potentially dangerous. How dare we damage a kids self-esteem just because he has a violent juvinile criminal record, we must allow him to share with his peers, and so we have converted our schools and school buildings into defacto prisons.

n2s

 

[22-rimfire]

I sympathize with your experience and feel the zero tolerance thing has been taken way overboard. On the other hand, in my area, there are kids that really do cut people at school. I carried a pocket knife in school before there was even any thought of an overal policy. If a kid used a knife improperly, he'd be dealt with appropriately by the school and I doubt some school resource officer or police would have been involved at all unless someone was stabbed.

Move forward and learn. That is what life is all about, learning. Even in your new school, I would suggest you keep the knives out of sight assuming you are allowed to carry such and I wouldn't go overboard even if you are allowed. Afterall, you're in school not wandering around the woods or even walking the isles of Walmart.

 

[killgar]

C'mon fellow bladeforums posters, we sound like a bunch of ancient, hyper-authoritarian rule-bound fossils: "welcome to the real world! zero tolerance! know the rules and follow them!"

Wrong. This school's "weapons" policy and arbitrary enforcement procedures are fundamentally unreasonable. The blade of a Leatherman micra is no more dangerous than the common pencil, a chair raised as a "weapon," or any blunt object commonly found in a classroom. In this situation, the teacher was obscenely ignorant of a basic tool and construed it as a weapon given her sheltered, sad station in life.

We should not be criticizing this young man for behaving in a reasonable manner. It is the absurd, ridiculous policies of the school that deserve scorn, and I commend this young man for standing up for reasonable, safe behavior that multi-tool carriers practice on a daily basis.

There are many ways to slay absurd rules and regulations. One way is to defy them with impunity. But, as this thread evidences, defiance has a heavy price at times. Another way, and one for the young man to consider, is to find ways to beat the rules. Deep pockets and two glances, my friend, deep pockets and two glances.

"You've come to the wrong shop for anarchy"

 

[Murdamook]

Man you guys sure are being dicks to this poor guy... Yeah he probably should have used scissors in class, but he made a mistake... not every one of you has to rub it in his face and make him feel bad! Jeez people... And you all are acting as if we should all just accept it... its that attitude EXACTLY that has allowed for knife paranoia to attain its current level! You fools are just as much sheep as the "sheeple" you always make fun of, because you always just go along with the rules and play nice...like SHEEP.

This "poor guy" put his dreadful plight on the internet and asked what the community thought. If you don't want your misgivings exploited and critiqued, don't ask. There are two scenarios at work and both end bad for OP. Assuming he wasn't protesting policy, he shouldn't have pulled out a blade in class. Common sense is fleeting in today's world and it just goes to show how little GPA means. If he was protesting policy, that was not the time to do it. School grounds are not places of protest. It detracts from the learning environment. There is also something to be said about the "rights" granted to a high school junior. I graduated high school in 2006 and I can assure you, there were plenty of people I wouldn't have trusted with a Micra-sized blade. Such is high school. To reiterate: in school, you abide by the rules as your rights are very limited.

 

[Cereal_killer]

As mentioned on page 1 I really hope you (mr. 3.9GPA) were smart enough to not say a word till your parents were on scene/with you.

Simple rules when talking to police, don't say anything till your counsel (parents) arrive no matter how not-guilty ou may be. Really kid be thankfull its only a week, around here a kid took a sheet of paper cut-out like a knife to school and got suspended for 2+ weeks. I'd consider yourself lucky.