A 16-year-old student brought a loaded handgun into a Prince George’s County, Maryland high school Friday, police said.
Several Largo High School students saw the teen with the gun during a fight at school Friday morning and told school officials, according to Prince George’s County police.
The officers took the gun from him and the teen was charged as an adult with having a dangerous handgun on school property, having a loaded firearm and other related charges, police said.
Authorities did not identify the student.
In July, a 17-year-old student was arrested after bringing a loaded gun to a summer program at Central High School. He also faces charges for possession of weapons as an adult.
“When people become a teacher or educator, they don’t think it’s going to be a dangerous profession, so when these things happen, it really makes you think about the safety of your workplace and the career you’ve chosen,” said the President of the Prince George’s County Educators Association (PGCEA), Donna Christy.
Last week, Superintendent Millard House confirmed that the system is scaling back its plan to put metal detectors in all high schools and some middle schools. Instead, there will be a pilot program at some high schools.
“It will be a gradual approach,” he said. “We’ve listened to the community, the feedback, and what we’re going to do is start specifically with our high schools. Not all of the high schools, but a bunch of them when it comes to safety improvements.”
The PGCEA has not ruled on the plan for metal detectors or for high school students to carry transparent backpacks, because teachers are divided on whether such security measures will work.
“Some are very interested in this concept of doing something, because they are very concerned that there are weapons in the building,” Christy said. “Others worry it’s going to be a waste of money. There are so many ways to get into a building.”
Finding out how guns get into the hands of children and why they bring them to school will be an important step in making schools safer.
The school system sent a letter to parents of students in Largo High School’s summer program, saying, in part, “Please help us in our efforts to maintain a safe learning environment and talk to your child about acceptable behaviors that support a positive school climate. Discuss with your child the consequences, such as expulsion, for bringing weapons or anything that looks like a weapon to school.”
