Gun Control Gone TOO Far in My Area...
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
February 15, 2013 12:06am CST
OK, I surrender...this is truly ridiculous for this child's 2nd Amendment rights to be violated in such a way...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/pennsylvania-5-year-old-suspended-bubble-gun-terrorist-threat-article-1.1243635
Apparently the right to bear arms doesn't extend to the right of this 5 year old kindergarten student from Mount Carmel, PA, a town not too far from where I live! She was overheard telling a little friend she was going to shoot her and then herself with her "Hello Kitty" Bubble Gun, according to one report saying, "So we can go together," and that she was then going to shoot herself again when she got home. She didn't have the gun with her at the time. This incident took place on January 10 as the children waited in front of the elementary school to board the school bus.
The next day the little girl was reported taken into the office and interrogated for several hours before her mother was called. She told her mother she'd been told she could go to jail! At first she was given a 10 day suspension for "terroristic threats" but it was later reduced to 2 days. The parents have hired an attorney to get the suspension removed.
This is one of those times when I don't know whether to laugh or cry!
Annie
4 people like this
6 responses
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
15 Feb 13
I rather doubt she actually said all that about shooting herself and her friend. 5 year olds don't think that way. Although children say things that do come out wrong.
This interrogating children is way over the line. Makes me glad my children are all out of school now, but I worry for my grandchildren.
I would have done more than hire a lawyer to have the suspension removed. I would have removed the child from the school immediately.
When my daughter, who is autistic, turned a certain age I got warnings from the principal about behavior and the consequences. My daughter never was in trouble at any time in school. I was told it was a precautionary measure-just in case. This principal had never met my daughter or had any dealings with her. She certainly never came to any of the IEP meetings. The thing is to accuse them before they've done anything wrong.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
15 Feb 13
I think the no tolerance policies need to be looked at more closely. They are taking it to the extreme. Pretty soon just saying the words will be getting kids suspended, etc.
I hope it doesn't get to the point of where all pointy objects are considered weapons too. Kids will be doing their work with fat crayons!
I agree the aim should be to get the mark removed. The kid probably has no idea what's going on, but poor thing was probably in tears from being terrorized (yes the school was the true terrorist) and abused-yes it was abuse. Maybe a lawsuit for damages isn't such a bad idea.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
18 Feb 13
Irishidid, you're not the only one who thinks the no tolerance policies need to be looked at more closely:
http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x2056618212/Kids-suspensions-renew-debate-over-zero-tolerance
Apparently this little girl's family has been satisfied with whatever agreement was reached with the Mount Carmel School District, but part of the agreement ws they can't talk about it. I totally agree what was done to her was terrorism and abuse!
Annie
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
15 Feb 13
i don't want to do either. I think the parents should not only get the suspension removed by sue the school for emotional stress and get enough money so the little girl can pay for the first year of college.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
18 Feb 13
I'm pretty sure they got the suspension removed and her record expunged but I have no clue if any money changed hands, or will change hands. As someone who lives in not only the same state but in the same part of the state, I hesitate at saying there should be a cash settlement of any large amount. Our state's education budget has been slashed and local school districts are stretched to the limit with the kids and the local economies being the ones to bear the brunt of the cuts.
Annie
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
15 Feb 13
I agree this is going way too far. Poor little kid must bed traumatized. Dare I say this was an example of "overkill" or will I also be treated as making a terrorist threat?
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
15 Feb 13
Really?
Since when can they question a child without the parent present???
psychological evaluation???
Really?
I hope have the Hello Kitty bubbles tested.....who knows what these little terrorist are using nowadays. 
@extremefun4fun (2908)
• India
15 Feb 13
well we are pttern of our children and society and what is happening there effect them alot because they are in the age of learning things? when they see and hear about those sort of thing then difinitly they will behave in that way too,
