To be honest, I have really mixed emotions about this issues. My bottom line position would probably be she knew the rules, she chose to break the rules, and if she has to suffer the consequences of breaking the rules so be it. In response to the issue of a search, the Courts have consistenly ruled students have limited rights while at school (both due their status, in most cases, as minors, and the fact that the facilities belong to the school district). Fair, maybe not, but that is the way it is right now. The real issue in terms of limited rights at school will be the mandatory attendance laws when the states say the students must be there THEN limits their rights while they are there. In terms of banning pepper spray, numerous items are banned at school for one reason or another (some good and some bad). For example, in the district where I work males are banned from wearing earrings (fair, probably not), no student (or teacher) can pocess tobacco or alchol (the drinking kind) on campus (works for me), students are not allowed shirts that are obscene, promote drug or alcohol products or use, short shorts are out for the young ladies (probably a good idea, if you want the young men to learn reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic), and the list goes on. To sum, administration should be able to use some (and use) some discretion in these matters based on intent, the student's record (discipline and academic), etc. I really do not see this as a self defence issue which is probably where I differ from the majority of the posters. How many posters agree with Jesse Jackson's stand in Decatur, IL?