generally speaking I don’t think they were ever really allowed, but if you tried to “take them away” the kids would just put it in their pocket and not give it up. and that was it.

the difference now is that we have things like the magnetic pouches so students physically can’t use them. the rule is the same, but now it’s actually enforceable.

Enforceable for kids that won’t buy a $10 magnet or open them with a couple of pencils and banging the pouch to dislodge the pin.