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Boy's mother charged after gun found at school
CORRECTION: This story incorrectly said that a mother charged after her 4-year-old son took a gun to school had left the gun in plain sight. The gun was not left in the open. It is the policy of The Free Lance-Star to correct factual errors in a timely fashion. We welcome your calls at 540/374-5400.
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: 540/374-5424Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com
ooo yippie dooo !! a update she didnt keep it in plain view!! lmao well it must been in plain view for a 4 yrold to have gotten it ...the advg 4 yr cant reach a locked box on top of a closet an then find the key & bullets now can he? if some one that small can find a gun then its out in sight in my book plain an simple
Is anyone reading the correction posted at the top of this article. The gun was not kept out in plain sight.
She kept the gun loaded and out in plain sight for the child's protection. LOL! Silly redneck, guns are for middle schoolers!
regardless as to why she left the gun out - even if it was for protection from an abusive husband or not - by doing so, she put her child in danger by having a loaded gun just lying around. she used poor judgment which could have resulted in her child killing himself or possibly someone else. what if that child had pointed that gun and shot another student? at 4, he couldn't be held responsible - he would have no idea the devastation it would cause, but his MOTHER needs to be more responsible.
This mother should have kept her weapon on her person in a holster, not left it on a table. When my weapon is not in my holster it is in my digital combination gun safe. I can open my safe in about 3 seconds, plenty of time to get to my guns before a criminal reaches me after breaking into my home. I also recommend that all children too young to be taught the basic gun safety rules be taught the NRA Eddie Eagle "don't touch, stay away, go tell an adult" program. Gun safety is absolutely critical.
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