E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
WXIA / NBC via Reuters
A 14-year-old pupil and a teacher were shot Thursday, Jan. 31, at Price Middle School in Atlanta. Another student at the school was arrested.
The case of a Virginia second-grader caught with a gun on his school bus this week may be shocking but it's by no means uncommon.
Across the country, children are being suspended or arrested for having weapons on campus or buses on a daily basis.
Police in Henrico, Va., were waiting at school for the little boy Monday morning after he allegedly threatened another pupil on their ride to Ratcliffe Elementary School. They found a handgun in his backpack, NBC station WWBT of Richmond, Va. reported.
The incident made national headlines Monday, as did a similar incident when a loaded gun was found in a pupil's book bag last month at P.S. 215 in Queens, N.Y.
However, these incidents aren't as isolated as they may appear. An NBC News survey of crime dockets and news reports across all 50 states reveals that, since Jan. 1, there have been at least 48 incidents in which guns have been discovered on students, in their bags or in their lockers.
There were at least five last Thursday alone: in Atlanta; Augusta, Kan.; Chicago; Raleigh, N.C.; and Winston-Salem, N.C.
There have been 23 class days since some districts resumed school Jan. 2 — not including Jan. 21, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. That works out to more than two gun reports a day this school year. (The survey excluded incidents in which pupils were caught with toy guns; all of the weapons were handguns, rifles, BB guns or air rifles.)
And those are just the cases that have been made public: Juveniles' police records are generally protected, so an untold number of other such incidents are likely to have occurred.
While it's impossible to determine whether such potentially deadly show-and-tells are happening more frequently, the public data do indicate just how hard it is to clamp down on guns on campus since the issue became a national concern in December in the wake of the fatal shootings of 20 pupils at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
Most of the time, the weapons are brought along for protection or as items of curiosity, with the pupil more interested in showing off than in shooting. And usually, they're intercepted before anyone can get hurt, with the student's being suspended or charged for a weapons violation, depending on his or her age. Often, a parent or guardian is charged with failing to secure the weapon.
But when they're not intercepted, tragedy is often the result.
Last week, a 14-year-old boy was shot and wounded by a student at Price Middle School in Atlanta, police said.
"Gun violence in and around our schools is simply unconscionable and must end," Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said. "Too many young people are being harmed and too many families are suffering from unimaginable and unnecessary grief."
And on Jan. 10, a student was wounded by a classmate who shot him at Taft Union High School in Taft, Calif., police said The boy targeted a second classmate but missed, authorities said.
While many lawmakers have introduced legislation that would put armed police or security guards in schools, that may not be the answer, according to a state task force reviewing campus safety in Virginia.
The task force last week stressed the need to fund anti-bullying programs and school resource officers, but it stopped short of calling for more officers in schools.
"If we were to put 1,000 new police officers in our schools, those police officers would have to come from somewhere, and we might inadvertently make things less safe in our communities," Dewey G. Cornell, a law professor at the University of Virginia who's a member of the task force, told WWBT.
The boy who opened fire last week in California was one of those who carried a weapon because he said he had been bullied, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said.
But that's not a good enough excuse, parents say.
"That just doesn't make sense," said Jeremy Massey, the parent of a student at Daly Elementary School in Inskter, Mich., near Detroit, where a third-grader was found to have taken a loaded gun to class two days in a row last month. The boy told police he carried the gun for his own protection.
"If you are 10 years old, the only protection you need is to go tell an adult," Massey told NBC station WDIV of Detroit.
Related:
Full list of student gun incidents this year
Obama on guns: 'We're not going to wait until the next Newtown'
Guns already allowed in schools with little restriction in many states
Leave a Comment:
Kids should be packing. Every day, every one. The best line of defense for a school is a well armed student body.
Frank you are completely wrong by saying that. When I was grooming up we children got into fights to settle our issues. Sure the loser got talked about until the black eyes had healed, yet everyone made it home to fight another day. People need to toughen up their children, so they can exist among true idiots; without the use of guns.
Frank- if the kid or bus driver either had had a gun in the alabama deal; bus driver might still be alive and the little boy might not have been held hostage for 7 days.It is after all a win/win; no win situation.
answer this,
how are increased background checks going to stop this? or any of the other laws they propose?
IT WONT
Jail the parent the let the kids take the guns,
and leave the rest of us alone
Kids with guns in school ? Not in my day , so how come they carry now ? Maybe something like a good home life ???
Rich...
I hate to contradict you, but when I was in school in NYC, there WERE firearms in school. Of course, that was the rifle clubs and such.
The primary difference was in the 50's and 60's kids were taught RESPECT for others and actually had manners. There was a sense of PERSONAL responsibility. There was the knowledge that you would be held ACCOUNTABLE for your actions.
Today, it's the reverse. It's the entitlement mentality and ME, ME, ME.
SOCIETY has failed ME, I didn't fail society.
Libs never let a good crisis go to waste.
You have a nation wide school program called DARE, in which the cops teach the children all about drugs and then the children can go out and then buy the correct drug for the correct use,get high,mellow out,etc!
So all these children bring guns to school are in fact victims of the flawed and proven worthless gun control belief.
Yes Gun Control Victims, you have demonized guns and gun owners,placed no gun,ni drug signs everywhere yet this keeps happening...so its time to educate the children about firearms,just like you do drugs!
Cause we all know that schools are there to educate and not keep people ignorant of the facts, so please help end this gun control violence and end gun control victims before it happens!!!!
The NRA solution is more guns not more safety and responsibility. Why aren't these guns locked up. These kids think it is cool because they get attention and their names in the paper.
jleopard,
The NRA is the only nationwide organization that teaches gun safety.
Yes, the kids see this stuff in the media and think everyone is doing it.
It is all the parents and the upbringing that is at fault. When I was young and going to school, we, mostly the boys, had rifles or shotguns in our vehicles, in gun racks and visible most of the year. Due to hunting, shooting sports. No one stole or bothered the guns and we never, ever had any shootings, like today. But we grew up with guns, were taught gun safety and use by our parents from about the age of nine or so and hunting with family, so we knew and respected firearms. Todays youth do not have parents that care, control and teach them and just let them roam free, with gangs, watch the violent tv shows, go to violent movies and play the violent video games, then wonder what is wrong with the youth of today. Parents had better start being parents and controling thier children. Gun control is nto the answer.
you are not going to get Parents to get involved they are running out the door trying to make ends meet to pay for the new tax hikes.
I agree, it is not the gun's fault, it is the kid, and the parent,
I think if the kid gets the gun and takes it to school, gets caught and suspended from school, the kid should go to kids jail and the parents (both, even if divorsed) should go to adult jail for the same amount of time. have a reverse work release, instead of them getting out for the day to go to work, they get up and go to jail for the day, then go home and do house work sleep and start over the next day.
After a few ass woopins they will not let it happen again, Kids and parents.
Also if the kids take the gun to school, and are making threats of shooting someone, make them go to the shooting range, or there back yard, and shoot their favorite pet and watch it die. that might change their mind about how easy it will be.
OR
give each kid jump suits to wear at school (they dress when they get there) that way they can not have anything with them that is not approved. With all the technology today, the kids do not need to be bringing home anything, it can all be online. have them take notes on the computer, or scan them before leaving school.
OR
Maybe a reverse of Scared straight, bring the convicts to each school to "search" all the kids when they get to school, and if they find weapons, they get to deal with it.
lets see we have violent movies & video games than you send your kid out the door and never tell them to copy what they say on the screen, I watched many westerns I played a lot of cowboy & Indians ( I Think these days cowboys and Indians would be considered racist)
why are we so surprised that kids are bringing guns to school when they are exposed to soo much violence our president and many others are pointing fingers at the NRA when they should be pointing fingers at Hollywood.
If the president was serious about this he would have a Immediate turn in your illegal gun day & have a class for all boys especially boys and girls regarding Guns
you are not going to get Parents to get involved they are running out the door trying to make ends meet to pay for the new tax hikes.
The reality is most of the shootings are happening in the inner cities where crime,drug,guns, & poverty is at it's highest No one is doing a darn thing about it that has been happening for years the number of murdered youth is equal to sandy hook shooting every 3-6 month's The police, the parents, the teachers obviously have failed at this It's time for intervention to take place immediately with in are youth, the adult thugs and mob generate their own crime the schools do no need to supply the gangs and mob with future thugs
Hmmm. I believe that in the other 26 industrialized countries children watch the same movies and play the same video games, yet, the rate of death from firearms in the United States is eight times higher than in those other countries. And the overall firearm-related death rate among U.S. children younger than 15 years of age is nearly 12 times higher than among children in all those other industrialized countries combined.
I really don't think the movies and video games "problem" is the issue.
@ geanie
well considering that the average work week in those other countries is 35 hours. the parents have time to actually parent their children. the average work week in the united states is 50 hours, see the difference. those other nations also have more stay at home parents then the US. they also have free health care to include mental health, see the difference.
out of those industrialized nations many of them also have less gun laws then the US. the issue is not a gun one but a society one.
And don't forget the paper guns and fingers cocked to look like a gun...those are everywhere! Seriously, do you expect us to believe that there's a sudden rash of kids taking guns to school? Really? Not saying it doesn't happen, but let's get a little perspective. My guess is it's lots more likely in Chicago than in some rural country school. Wherever you find gangs you're likely to find guns, and illegal ones by definition.
NRA says, let the good times roll.
Planned Parenthood says, "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor".
Mandate<
They do? Show me where.
What??? People aren't following the gun bans?!?!?!?
Get outta here.........
Where are the AGE limits for handling a GUN ????? WHAT are the PARENTS doing when it is their TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY to LOCK-UP and PREVENT others in the FAMILLY from getting their HANDS on these DEADLY WEAPONS ???? Why do we not PUT THE PARENTS IN JAIL ONE AT A TIME and EACH PAY LIKE on Trafic tickets HEAD injury fees in this case DEATH TO OTHERS FEES that amount to fines of at least $5,000.00 dollars for each parent and 1 week in jail each separated so they can teach their KIDS and themselves responsibility. 1st offense, second offense TAKE ALL GUNS AWAY AND LEAVE A CAP GUN for the 2nd amendment right.
What the F'K is the NRA and PRO gun thinking. They are NOT to be TAKEN SERIOUSLY ON ANY GUN MATTERS !!!! This is a COUNTRY of CRAZIES and were allowing this MEAHAM to exist. The POLITICIANS are their to PROTECT THE CITIZENS 'EN MASS". Not these CRAZIES AND THEIR LUDACRIS IDEAS of IRRESPONSIBILITY.
What KILLS me is YOU AS A CITIZEN would think THAT the NRA and the PRO GUN LOONIES would be the FIRST and out in front with CONTROLS ON THES LETHAL WEAPONS, and they would be the ones to trust their judgement. It is really sad that is not the CASE. It has to come from ALL of the 50 states and their CITIZENS for CONTROLS to protect all 50 States and the traffic of GUNS !!!
Where is it MY responsibility because a parent and their child screw up?
Why am I punished for their crime?
And you want to talk about trafficking of guns.............look no further than Eric Holder.
Alain,
CALM YOUR HYSTERIA!!!!!!
Whew.
The NRA is the only nationwide organization that promotes and teaches gun safety.
The guns of over 80 million gun owners killed no one yesterday....or for decades before yesterday.
Yes, we need for out government to enforce the existing laws. Talk to Obama and Holder on that issue. They do not listen to Americans.
Alain Deflandre
Are you OK my Brother? Calm down a little. It's all going to be fine. The NRA & gun owners are NOT out to get you. The NRA & the rest of us are still the same people that we were last year at this time. We are still your friends, neighbors , coworkers & relatives. If it were not for differing views about gun ownership, you would not be able to tell us from anyone else. We are all just trying to work, get along & live life without others telling us how to live ours. Don't get so bent out of shape. Your going to blow a gasket.
the nra also advocates locking your guns up in a safe. you people cant really keep blaming the nra. i bet most of these instances are involved with parents that have a crimnal past, with an illegal gun, not from a responsible gun owner trained by the nra.
This cannot be! There are LAWS against guns within school zones and against handgun ownership by minors! We need MORE laws!
MORONS.
And, BTW, this isn't news. In the inner cities it's been going on for a very long time, especially ever since Nixon greatly intensified the War on Some Drugs.
Not only are schools drug and gun free zones, possession of a handgun by anyone under 21 is illegal. Many states have laws that prohibit easy access to firearms by children in the house. In my state quite frequently the firearm the child has, is a police duty weapon, the father or mother being a police officer, which is a violation of the security protocols of every police department. How many laws were broken by both the so called child and/or the parents, yet this continues. You cannot legislate good parenting.
Next, you're going to tell me students are bringing joints to school......which are against the law.
When the parents are made to pay a heavy fine, and their weapons taken, this will help the problem.
All weapons should be under lock and key , It won't stop until there is punishment for the parents. All schools should have a dress code and all the bullies should be expeled imediately. Teachers should be more aware of
what is going on with their class. Parents should be forced to attend all parent-teachers meetings. No child should be bullied by anyone. Learning the essential is being left behind because of sports being the most important project on the schedule. All children have the same rights as others in the school. But this is not the way I have seen it going on. It's the kids from the best families and those who play on all the sport teams.
Why have all these incidents come to light during Obama's watch?
The media decided to do that, blamo. I guess they thought some people would read the article. Or do you think it is another government conspiracy?
Get mental help, blamo.
It's been a problem in the U.S. for decades now, and has steadily increased every year.
August 14, 2001:
Auto accidents are the leading cause of death among American teenagers. According to the Center For Disease Control 5,060 young people ages 15-19 lost their lives in 1998 as a result of a motor vehicle related injury and many of these involved alcohol.
Sept. 20, 2012:
Suicide has overtaken car crashes as the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the U.S. While public health efforts have curbed the number of car fatalities by 25% over the last decade, a new study shows suicide deaths rose by 15% during the same period.
The rate of death from firearms in the United States is 8 times higher than that in its economic counterparts in other parts of the world.
The overall firearm-related death rate among children younger than 15 years of age is nearly 12 times higher than among children in 25 other industrialized countries combined.
The United States has the highest rate of youth homicides and suicides among the 26 wealthiest nations.
.Every day in the United States there are an average of 81 people killed by guns and more than 176 non-fatal gun related injuries.
And I believe the massacre of 20 kindergartners and 6 others was the straw that broke the camels back. We cannot keep on the track we are currently on. There has to be a better way and evidently at least 26 other countries have already figured it out. I think they were able to do so because their citizens valued life more than owning guns.
Well, here we are again, and it wasn't that long ago that we experienced the same thing. Don't people ever learn?!! I hear the beat of those old drums again. It's Blackenstein bangin' on that bass and sending the media and masses with their foam filled mouths into the night with torches and pitch forks looking for the wrong monster, just like GW did with his phoney crusade before invading Iraq. When are people going to wake up, take notice of this old, tried and tested practice and learn to take a step back to analize and realize they are being used for anothers agenda? Do you people like getting duped? Do you not mind people disrespecting you behind your backs and laughing at you? That's what they're doing. Every time you call for newer/stricter laws you are not only restricting others but you are restricting yourselves and opening avenues for even more control by big brother and they are loving how you go along to get along. It's like you are putting the same noose around your own necks and it is slowly tightening up. So slow you won't realize it until you are gasping for air. By then it will be too late to complain because the damage will be done and there will be no turning back. Does anyone really want to live in a society where the only answer to violence is military like police and cameras everywhere to monitor your every move in public? The UK is almost completely there and I personally don't want to live like they do and be caught bowing to some authoritive figure or Constrictor in Chief.
"Thou shall not bow to man."
I’m expecting it to go vireo until the liberals get what they want, your guns and your 401s
Their parents think their kids are responsible gun owners. Evidently they are much more responsible than their parents.
48 times since January 1st? Ha! Looks like quite a few folks would like to get rid of their kids.
I am tired of hearing that guns don't kill people, people kill people. Guess what? Guns do kill people because they are always people powered. Without the gun, people will kill less people. There are massive numbers of guns in the hands of people that don't have enough sense, sobriety, maturity, etc. to not pick them up and use them. Guns kill people and guns do not have citizenship or rights. I won't defend them. Guns are in teh hands of people and they kill. People give guns to kids or leave access for kids to find them. You can't separate guns from people. If there were no people, guns would not kill or end up inthe hands of kids. But that is not the reality, is it?
Damn, you are right.
Cars kill people, hammers kill people, stairs kill people, water kills people, ladders kill people, anything "blunt" kills people, etc. all kill people.
Ban EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! Include banning people!!!!!!!
AAA, go back to your hidey hole in the basement.
i am 68 and have hand guns all my adult life. my guns never left my house without me. i guess my guns and kids are well behaved. before i forget- try to hurt my family and we can get really pissed.
Whatever, tough guy.
Raising a child is a big responsibility
Owning a gun is a big responsibility.
There are far too many people in this country that do not accept personal responsibility for anything.
Now that i can agree with.