Mom charged after 4 yr old takes handgun to school

Mother charged in school gun case
January 22, 2008 12:15 am
BY ELLEN BILTZ

The mother of a 4-year-old Bowling Green Primary School student who authorities said brought a gun to school last week, was charged Saturday.

Caroline County Sheriff Tony Lippa said the woman, who was not named to protect the identity of her child, was charged with recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child under the age of 14, which is a class 3 misdemeanor.

Lippa said the mother told police she kept the gun loaded and in plain sight for protection for the child and herself.

He said a lesson should be learned from the incident and parents should remember to separate ammo and guns and to get gun locks, which are free at the Sheriff's Office, for their guns.

He said however, that he understands there's a tradeoff for those who want their gun for immediate use, such as protection, as in this case.

Lippa said he was not sure whether the woman would face any additional charges, but he said she will go to court on at least the one charge Feb. 26. She was charged in a summons.

The loaded pistol was found in the boy's possession last Thursday when a fellow student spotted it and told a teacher.

The police were then called, the report taken and the gun confiscated, according to previous police reports.

Lippa said it's important to remember and be thankful that no one was hurt.

"We avoided a tragedy," he said.
Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424
Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com

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Boy, 4, brings gun to school in Caroline


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Young boy brings loaded pistol to school but no one is injured

by ellen biltz and jeff branscome

Date published: 1/18/2008

A 4-year-old brought a loaded pistol to Bowling Green Primary School yesterday, but didn't intend to hurt anyone, according to the Caroline County Sheriff's Office and school officials.

Lt. Col. Michael Hall of the Sheriff's Office said no one was hurt and immediate action was taken after the boy was seen in class with the gun.

The weapon was confiscated and the boy's family was called, he said.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating but no charges are expected, Hall said.

According to Virginia law, "recklessly" leaving a loaded firearm within reach of anyone under age 14 is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

The student will be suspended, said School Board member Tamara Redding, who said she spoke with Bowling Green Primary Principal Debra Holt.

Another student saw the gun in the boy's backpack and thought it was a toy but told the teacher anyway, Redding said.

The teacher immediately took the backpack to the office, she said. "My understanding is that [the gun] was never out of the backpack."

Redding said she thinks students aren't even allowed to bring toy guns to school.

Holt called the student's mother and asked her to come to the school before calling police, Redding said.

In a letter sent home to parents, Holt wrote that there was never a threat.

"Upon discovery, the situation was appropriately and immediately resolved," she wrote. "No one was injured, nor was there ever any threat of injury."
Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424
Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com

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I can only say three words here....

Irresponsible Gun Owner

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....They report that guns in the home are more likely to kill those that live there.....

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Obviously it wasn't in plain sight ALL the time - the child managed to secrete it and take it to school, and the woman didn't notice?

This is the disadvantage to the "in plain sight" rule. Convenient-to-hand, nearby, etc. are appropriate when there are children around - out where they can get it is not.

We could make some big statements if we are willing to make this a rallying point - a "policing our own" maypole - that responsible gun owners aren't willing to make excuses for those who choose not to be responsible.

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...........responsible gun owners aren't willing to make excuses for those who choose not to be responsible.

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Actually, it reminds me of when a friend was over with her child in my house. I have at least one gun at arms reach from my easy chair. I told her not to let the child away as I had a few guns in the house.

Later, she let the child away, and I immediately went to where the one "low" lying gun was. (no-where near where the child was) and put it out of danger.

I rarely have children in the house, so it normally isn't an issue.

Just me being paranoid about a kid being near a gun without guidence, training, and/or supervision.

HTH

Jason

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captkirk9195 wrote:

Actually, it reminds me of when a friend was over with her child in my house. I have at least one gun at arms reach from my easy chair. I told her not to let the child away as I had a few guns in the house.

Later, she let the child away, and I immediately went to where the one "low" lying gun was. (no-where near where the child was) and put it out of danger.

I rarely have children in the house, so it normally isn't an issue.

Just me being paranoid about a kid being near a gun without guidence, training, and/or supervision.

HTH

Jason

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A couple of years back my 5 year old granddaughter was spending the summer with us (Actually with her dad, who still lived in our area and her mom, out daughter was with her new husband...Long story...but.) That first day I took mygranddaughter and showed her the guns that I keep loaded, talked to her about why I have them, why Icarry a gunand charged her not to touch them.

Some weeks later we were hiking in the woods andI was pointing out different things to my wife and granddaughter. We came across some bear scat and I pointed this out along with the associated tracks.

My granddaughter looked at the spore with big eyes and then looking up at me she said "Grandpa, do you have your gun?" I replied in the affirmative and she relaxed and said, "Oh good" and off we went.

Tarzan

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The loaded pistol was found in the boy's possession last Thursday

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The police were then called, the report taken and the gun confiscated, according to previous police reports.

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The teacher immediately took the backpack to the office, she said. "My understanding is that [the gun] was never out of the backpack."


"Upon discovery, the situation was appropriately and immediately resolved," she wrote. "No one was injured, nor was there ever any threat of injury."

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