Archer HS implements new rules after armed man arrested at football game

A Gwinnett County school is beefing up its security policy after a man is accused of carrying guns into a recent football game at Archer High School

Gwinnett County School Police last month arrested a man they say carried a rifle and two handguns onto campus. They charged Brian Fort with possessing weapons on school property. 

Under the new policy students who are not high school age must attend games with a parent or guardian. High school age students not with a parent or guardian must show archer high school identification. Only students from Archer and the visiting team will be permitted to enter without a parent or guardian. 

Shaunte Jenkins, whose daughter attends 10th grade at Archer, believes the policy will keep students safer. 

"It will," Jenkins said. "That’s definitely a good idea."

ARMED MAN SHOWS UP TO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME WITH RIFLE AND TWO HANDGUNS, SCHOOL SAYS 

Steven McCartney, a senior at the school, said he’s skeptical. 

"More restrictions are necessary. But you really can never predict this type of stuff," McCartney said. "Overall we’ll see how it goes. There can only be so much in place to help keep everybody safe." 

Brookwood High School put in place a similar policy. 

Archer said it’ll continue its clear-bag policy at games. Anyone who doesn’t follow the rules will be escorted out, with no refund.

A representative from Archer laid out the following new rules:

  • Any student not of high school age must enter with a parent or guardian. Any underage student not accompanied by an adult will be escorted to the main gate and must be picked up by their parent or guardian. Unsupervised student drop-offs are not allowed.
  • Any underage student not accompanied by an adult will be escorted to the main gate and must be picked up by their parent or guardian.
  • Unsupervised student drop-offs are not allowed.
  • All high school-aged students not accompanied by a parent or guardian will be required to show Archer student ID upon entry.
  • Only students from Archer High School and the visiting team will be permitted to enter without a parent or guardian.
  • Refunds will not be given to students who disobey any of the above rules, or who are asked to leave throughout the game.

The school says it will also continue to implement the clear bag policy at all games. To review that policy, click here.