Kid Almost Suspended for Bringing Tiny Toy Gun to School

I can pretty much guarantee that is not even a Lego gun. It's way too big to be for a Lego minifigure. Looks more like a G.I. Joe-type gun to me.

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The thing is, this isn't just one incident. It's happening in schools everywhere. Umpteen kids at my school DID get suspended for FORWARDING a text message telling everyone to drop their pencils at the same time. Pencils! They took everyone's phones away (which is a violation of everyone's rights, it doesn't matter if we're kids) and went through all of our messages, printing them out so everyone could see. There was even a policeman right there. And now this extremely intelligent kid who was always really responsible has that on his record. For forwarding a text message. He didn't even remember to drop his pencil.

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I can understand the ban if it relates to something that could be mistaken for a real gun. This instance is so into the realm of over reaction as to be almost laughable if it weren't so serious. Maybe the principal was afraid the boy was going to shoot her Barbie dolls with the 2" toy.

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All "zero tolerance" rules are stupid. PC is a greater threat to democracy than Bin Laden!

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How f---- ignorant can these school Nazis be? Supers and principals use your retarded f---- brains or get the hell out of the school system. What jackasses! If you did this to my kid I'd kick your ass from here to kingdom come even if I did get charged with assault. It would be well worth it.

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As a retired school administrator, every report of a weapon at our school was investigated and checked out. One has to remember that we deal with not only the child in these cases but the entire school community. In the blog, there is no comment as to how the principal found the "weapon"; was he messing with it by himself, was he aiming it at other people, was he holding it to another child's head. These things would greatly effect the consequence for the child's action. Common sense together with implementation of the policy on weapons should be used in dealing with children and their families.

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From the video, one could bet that this 9 year old boy is considerably more intellectual and articulate as a public speaker than the mentally challenged Principal. Sheesh.

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So what is it when a child makes a fist, extends the pointer finger and raises the thumb over the top of the fist? That is a makeshift gun. Does that violate the rules? Is it a gun then but only if his hand is in that configuration? Does this mean that anyone that is capable of forming such a hand configuration is carrying a "gun"?

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It was a LEGO..if anything the principal should have taken the student aside and told him per school policy it's best not to bring these toys to school.

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As a career educator, I agree that the people running the school systems are making some extremely poor decisions regarding the treatment of children. Common sense is totally lacking. The principal who made the decision should be put on at least unpaid leave for several months and reprimanded for her actions formally.

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As much as I agree with most of you, that it was kinda silly to threaten suspension over a tiny gun, I think we need to remember that educators are held liable when something terrible does happen. I know, I know it's only two inches. But, what if some other kid had gone home and said, "Hey, Mom, Patrick was playing with a gun at school!" Then that Mom freaks out and, even though she is told it was an itty bitty toy gun, she threatens to sue if the rules aren't followed by all the students. And before anyone argues that this couldn't happen just remember that we are a sue happy nation. It's totally possible. So, even though it seems crazy, maybe, just maybe, the educators are trying to protect themselves.

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My question is this. Who in the world hired these simplistic so called school principals? Surely they can't be as stupid as the press has exposed them to be. A two inch gun? For goodness sakes these public schools are quite laughable.
Mothers, fathers, place your children in decent private schools. Avoid the slop troughs called public schools.

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wtf? there is no way that gun would ever be a threat..i mean really what did they think it was,the noisy cricket?

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Perfect example of stupidity taken to the ultimate level. the proper thing is to suspend the principal except the teacher's unions would make it a year's long legal hassle. The lesson is that the kids can see the unbelievable foolishness and absurd imposition involved in an incredibly obtuse interpretation of a policy. Zero tolerance sounds good in theory but is seldom practical in the light of day in front of normal people.
I think one would be well served to review other judgements emanating from this principal and possibly some members of the school board. I bet it would be illuminating.

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I agree this seems extreme. However, I can't help but wonder if the deaths we have witnessed on school campuses should raise the larger question---why are there toy guns at all? The one and only reason for guns is to kill. Yes, they are a necessary evil for our policemen and military, and hunters who feed their families from the hunt, but why are toy guns still in fashion?

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Any comment with the words stupid, moron, or idiot are right on!! As a former teacher, it is embarrassing that this type of incident even MAKES the news--however, it sounds just like the people with whom I used to work. Yes, Lita "much about nothing;" . . . . and I will help you make that toy a lethal weapon!!!

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I understand how they feel. My son was punished because his ridiculous principal saw him use HIS FINGERS as a gun!! Seriously did that ridiculous idiot think a real bullet was going to come out of his finger!! Talk about overkill!! She also told me that she was disturbed by the incident!! She needs her head examined and so does this prinicipal!!

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I really am beginning to believe the potential child molestors and child abusers are within the school system itself. Where do they train these school authorities, in a homelwss shelter for the deranged? Fire a few principals and teachers for such stupidity and I do believe reason may begin to prevail.

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