Recent Sixth Circuit decisions and new Tennessee laws clarify when schools may search or detain students after reported gun threats. This article explains how courts now define student “seizures,” what standards apply to school searches, and the additional safeguards required under Tennessee law—offering practical guidance for parents and educators navigating high-stakes discipline decisions.

Ever since the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines case, it is well established that students do not shed their rights at the schoolhouse but also that school officials have been given greater latitude to allow them to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.