(MA) Teen barred from campus after firearm found in car

[The Unknown User]

No. I'm saying it became a "school matter" because a student ran to the office scared of being shot, so the school got involved.

I never said it was okay; I'm just explaining why what happened, happened.

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[TrybalRage]

If he was indeed "disposing" of his grandfather's illegal shotgun, then he should have notified the BATFE and done it in a legal manner.

When you were in high school, did you know that?

 

[Mr.V.]

I don't really have any sympathy for him.

Well...I have a lot of sympathy for him. He's facing juvie (or worse) for exercising what should be a Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

However, there's no doubt he's screwed...

 

[VARifleman]

The school got involved because a student was upset over the rumor that the kid in question had a sawed-off shotgun.

It's illegal to own such a weapon in MA without going through tons of paperwork. I have the feeling the kid didn't have said paperwork.

I could cutt the barrel off my shotgun down 10 inches and still be legal, but have a a sawed off barrel.

 

[TheOld Man]

I saw the story on the news last night. Get this: he's undergoing a psychological evaluation.

What the (you know what) is wrong with people? He isn't nuts, he just had his grandfather's shotgun. He didn't bring it to school. Sure, he broke the law and needs to be dealt with, but it's not like he's a raging lunatic.

That will probably guarantee that he will never be allowed to purchase a gun in his lifetime.

 

[ALocal]

Hi. As a local I just wanted to say that this is not really a "gun" issue; despite what this kid's lawyer says about his never having broke the law, he has a history at the school that set alarm bells off when someone mentioned the gun, and repeated whatever he'd said.

His nickname among the other kids is "Creepy Ken", and apparently he's just that -- a determinedly odd kid who since moving to town has made a habit of doing and saying disturbing things. If you notice, the story doesn't get into details about what he said that made his friend tell the school; the word is he said something that worried the other kid. Apparently he has some on-going beef with one or more teachers (that don't make sense to anyone else). The school has been at a loss dealing with him for a while.

That's why, when they found the gun, they flipped. It's not about the gun itself, it's the kid, and the whole story, which hasn't been in the papers. That's why they're doing a psych eval on him; he's been an issue for a while. The cops say the story about getting rid of his grandfather's gun was just something he made up when they found it.

This is a wealthy town, with plenty of corporate big shots that carry protection; it's not about the gun, it's about this specific kid, and that they actually found one, loaded, in his car after he said something weird to another kid.

 

[TallPine]

Half of these kids don't know who won WWII. I'm serious. And forget about geography. It's apalling.

Not to mention speling

 

[Elza]

Alocal sheds some interesting light on the subject. Perhaps the action of this school prevented another Columbine? A prime example for not believing what you read in the MSM. What is fact and what is printed is generally too far apart to form an intelligent opinion of the situation.

 

[ALocal]

Yes -- the real story is not in the paper. I only know because I have friends and family with kids in the school.

I can tell you that around here people don't carry loaded sawed-off shotguns in their trunk unless they work for Tony Soprano. Not saying it's right or wrong, but any cop around here would be more than surprised and concerned. I'm sure they answered the call thinking it was the usual high school BS, and were pretty surprised.

The only people with that particular weapon, loaded, in their trunk around here would probably be on their way to dip the body in cement before dropping it in Boston Harbor. You just don't have a lot of reason to carry that around, loaded, in your trunk. Pretty damned unusual in these parts.

 

[Erebus]

I saw the story on the news last night. Get this: he's undergoing a psychological evaluation.

After reading what ALocal posted this makes sense. I saw it on the news too and was left scratching my head about the eval. With the laws in this state the arrest made sense.

Anyone know his exact age? I am assuming he is probably 18 since they printed his name.

If he's 18 he can have long guns in MA if he has an FID. If he has an FID it is legal locked in his trunk if it's unloaded. Cable and trigger locks are not considered secure enough in a car.

And just as a note to all the other Mass people since it fits into the guns in cars catagory. I was unaware of this until I read it here.

Please note that if your pistol should be lost or stolen, you may lose your LTC. Your police chief might consider you to be an "unsuitable person", as he may consider it negligent to leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle.

I didn't think your permit could be yanked for someone else's crime. Although it doesn't surprise me in the least in this state.

 

[Len S]

Alocal thanks for the information. I will not disagree about the kid, I have no idea about him. Sawed off shotguns are illegal. But to say there is not much need? There is NO need to have any kind of firearm on your person 99.99% of the time. It is that other .01% we all get worried about.

Len

 

[AnotherLocal]

Ok...I'm a student at Winchester High, and I feel that news story does not have the full story.
First off, they claim the gun wasn't on school grounds. Well, I saw his car in the lot that day. This doesn't mean the gun was in his car, but knowing him, I dont doubt it.
His attorney claims he hasn't been in trouble with the law before...technically this is true (his record is clean) but he's been caught w/ drugs and has committed at least two assaults that I've witnessed.
Also, I'm told they found the gun in his car while it was infront of his house. No, he doesn't live in a school zone, but he is pretty close to one.
The gun WAS illegal (sawed off too much and loaded) as well as the fact that he is 17 and doesn't have an FID card.
Alocal is correct in saying the kid makes scary remarks...he makes plenty. We all thought they were just bs until now. When the administration announced that a student had been arrested in possession of a gun, they didn't have to announce the name, we all knew who it was.
I doubt his intent was to shoot up the school. Not that it's any better, but I think he was just out to get a few kids who he'd had issues with recently.
In closing I'd just like to say it was an unfortunate event, but I'm glad he won't be returning to school.

 

[Erebus]

Alocal is correct in saying the kid makes scary remarks...he makes plenty. We all thought they were just bs until now. When the administration announced that a student had been arrested in possession of a gun, they didn't have to announce the name, we all knew who it was.

Wow, I don't blame you for not wanting him back.

I doubt his intent was to shoot up the school. Not that it's any better, but I think he was just out to get a few kids who he'd had issues with recently.

One is too many. Sounds like a tragedy may have been averted.

Thanks for your insight. And since he's out on bail stay alert. If you see him make yourself scarce. Don't assume he will obey a court order to stay away from the school or that the cops got every weapon he has access to.

 

[The Unknown User]

I didn't know about all that other stuff, so I hope it's known that my previous remarks were made based on the information I had at the time.

AnotherLocal, I hope you weren't shaken up too much by it. Same to ALocal.