[WAGCEVP]

Cannon Falls teen will graduate despite gun suspension
Jill Burcum, Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3909292.html

Published May 30, 2003 CANN30


Despite getting decent grades and being known around town as a big teddy
bear of a guy, Kenny Gappa of Cannon Falls wouldn't be walking across the
stage tonight at his high school graduation without some last-minute help
from his mom.

On May 8, Gappa's senior year came to an abrupt halt at Cannon Falls High
School when a police officer and school officials found a small-caliber
rifle in a case behind the seat of his pickup truck. Nearby was ammunition
for the gun, which Gappa said he uses for squirrel hunting and target
practice.

[Combat-wombat]

Something like this happening is really rare. They would usually just stick to their "Zero Tolerance" crap.

[Esky]

Well, I'm glad that he got to graduate.

This federal law, that is the basis of his problem, really should be taken off the books. This seems like 'double jeopardy' to me- the article didn't say whether he was charged by police with violation of a federal law, but only talked about the severe disciplinary action that the school administration took. If he wasn't charged by the police, then why did the admin get so gung-ho about it?

I'd like a return to the days when high schools taught shooting. That way we'd have a lot more young people that knew about gun safety, but of course the liberals would have a cow if that were the case.

Still, I can dream, can't I?

[Pebcac]

Yet another shining example of why zero tolerance doesn't work. When I was in high school, kids came straight from hunting to class, still in their camos, deer sometimes in the back of the truck. Everyone knew they probably still had their hunting rifle in the pickup, but nobody thought anything of it. Of course, this was before Columbine, Jonesboro, and the rest, and my high school made everyone take the state hunter safety course (with firearms safety, but using pellet rifles). :rolleyes:

[12 Volt Man]

This state of society is so lame. Granted I graduated high school 10 years ago. I drove an old 73 chevy truck in which I always had a .22 behind the seat. I don't think anyone knew, but I don't feel like they would have cared either. I had plenty of ammo riding around in the truck too. I would head out almost every weekend for my Dad's ranch (180 miles to the South) where my truck doubled as a farm truck. I used the gun for various plinking, squirrels, rabbits etc...... The thought never crossed my mind that I would use it on other students. I did not turn out to be a mass murderer either. These people need to relax a little.

[Battler]

If a rule can't hold up to "zero tolerance" interpretation, it should be removed, not selectively enforced.

[Zak Smith]

Esky,

What federal law are you referring to?

As far as I know, there is no federal law restricting carry in K12 schools or on their property. The last time I read it, it sounded like federal law "reinforced" the state law on this count. Some states with CCW allow CCW in the school. Colorado used to. Now it's explicitly legal to leave it in your car on school grounds. So therefor, it's not an over-arching federal law.

-z

[Andrew Wyatt]

That happened to me my senior year, except I got busted for handing my pocket knife over to the cop at the door when he asked if i had anything.

I was allowed to graduate, but had to go to home study in lieu of suspension for the rest of the year.

[Standing Wolf]

That happened to me my senior year, except I got busted for handing my pocket knife over to the cop at the door when he asked if i had anything.

How very sad! I've carried one pocket knife or another since I was about seven.

[WAGCEVP]

Zak, the federal law that Esky is refering to is the "gunfree school zone" which states that you can not have a gun within 1000 ft of school property.

Check GOA's website for more info, I would, but I can't seem to get on right now.

[tetchaje1]

That Federal law was repealed a few years back as being unConstitutional. Utah law specifically states that it is legal to carry a concealed weapon on all public schoolgrounds -- hence, I carry my piece every day at University. :)

[Zak Smith]

Ah, this might be it:

http://www.state.de.us/attgen/main_page/teachers/laws/gunfree.htm

I guess it didn't register to me before because Colorado law used to specifically exempt CCW's. With the new SB24, the restrictions are different.

-z

[tetchaje1]

Which is why there has been a ton of hoopla in the news recently because all of the public K-12 school districts here in Utah have recognized that faculty members can carry there concealed weapons to school while teaching...

That Federal law is gone, folks...

...state laws are a different story, though. ;) As far as I know, Utah, and maybe Vermont, are the only states that specifically allow CHL holders to carry on K-12 school grounds...

[Peter Gun]

No, VT passed a state law a few years ago making gun free school zones. I knew it would cause a problem and it has already harrassed many hunting parents and the free carrying public. Fortunately, the school boards have so far chosen to overlook most violations. However, the police used it to harass a friend of mine. My freinds brother was charged in a robbery (he was acquitted). the police wanted to seize the suspects guns. He claimed his mother had trashed them. They figured his brother probably carries a gun too, so they followed him to his junior college (included in the ban) and busted him as soon as he entered school grounds (pistol was in car). Obviously, this was purely a tool to pressure his brother. Fortunately my friend has a good lawyer and after several thousand dollars was able to graduate and clear his record.
A perfect example of how gun law enforcement can be as underhanded as drug law enforcement.