Two West Elementary students arrested for bringing gun to school

The parents should be held accountable, how did this kid get ahold of a gun?

come on ppl keep your guns out of your kids reach!

I understand that people believe that it is the responsability of adults to keep things like this out of the reach of their children, however, I grew up with guns in our house. My father was and still is an avid hunter. His guns were kept in a locked display case in the dinning room with the key in the key hole with a large tasle hanging off from it. My brother's and I could have eaisly opened it and taken the guns out, the ammunition was also stored with them. But, we knew better. My father would have killed us dead if we touched those guns and we knew it. We NEVER even thought about getting them out, and it's not because we didnt know how, its because my parents taught us the difference between right and wrong, we knew the rules, and we knew what would have happened if we had violated them. Children today are not taught rules, to fear or respect others, including their parents, or that their actions have harsh concequences. A simple 'no no, dont do that' is not going to sufice. It is not illegal to physically disipline your children, my parents did it for my brothers and I and I don't begrudge them for it. I grew up in a loving law abiding home, I know the difference between right and wrong, and things like this were unheard of when I was a child.

So here is my concern about all of this. I am a parent of two children that attend West. Im extremely upset because I dont think proper action was taken in punishing these children today. I am under the understanding that the young man that brouhgt the gun to school was suspended for all of 5 days and the other for a lesser time. The problem I have here is that a child that is a few years older makes a bomb threat to one of our schools gets expeled. As most of you know bomb threats arent a joke either but are almost always some kid trying to get a three day weekend out of it. A child that brings a gun to school gets suspended because of duprocess and he has rights. He actually brouhgt the weapon to the school instead of calling and threatening. Well what about the rights of not only my kids but of the hundreds of other children that attend West? Dont they have a right to feel safe and protected. What if ( and thank GOD he didnt) the gun was fired? What if one of our children were shot? Would he still get 5 day then? How do you expect me to tell my children that the school is a safe place? Or is it not safe anymore?

shelby you are right. also, i made a knee jerk comment , i should have stated the other half of the comment which you basicly did. with guns comes the responsibility of education, supervision, and respect as well as firm boundries.

I am a teacher at a private school here in town and we have several children that come to us from West for the afternoon. I understand the concern. If I had school-age children, there is not way on earth I would put them in public school here. I am from the East Coast and although I attended a public school my entire life it was of a much higher educational system and we never had things like this happening. I used to work at the school district here and I am apaulled at the way it is run. There are several private schools in Mountain Home that parents should consider looking into. One that I have heard good things about it Shilo Christan School. No parent should have to worry about their child being unsafe at school.

When I was 13 years 7 grade in 1966 I was in elec shop jr High. While taking a break looking out the door of this shop building a Group of Gang Members was walking down the little street between the shop buildings, the leader walked too me a person I had met before, no problems with,, while standing in the doorway he pulled a gun and pointed at my head, nose too barrel, and held it there, I can still remember the lead of the bullets, it was a 22 cal. Another day same school I was sitting on a school bench, nobody, just me reading my bible and the school VP walked up to me without saying anything and took my bible, where was this Los Angeles.

Welcome to the Real World Mountain Home. lets not wait for the world too change, lets change Public Education while we still have time, because we are running out of time.

God has never really been gone from schools, God been undercover, its time to let the freedom bell ring and let God back in the light of truth of this thing we call public education. that has in history of the United States been a truth, God is the Answer, has always been that way and always will.

I worked for the Mountain Home School District and they are more afraid of lawsuits being filed as a result of dealing with these problems than dealing with the problem itself. If I was a parent with a child in that District, I would be afraid as well. They are very good at slaps on the hand that teach nothing. Time to be held accountable. What is the status of zero (0) tolerance for drugs and weapons on school grounds? I would not want my child in school with the child(ren) that brought the gun to school. At that age, I knew not to touch my father's guns and NEVER would have thought to bring one to school. Where were the parents/guardian(s) of these kids? Hold that School Board accountable.

It looks like the rumor mill is turning here so I want to set the record straight. My son was the one that brought the gun to school.

I am deployed right now and cannot deal with the situation directly but I can assure all of you that the boy is being dealt with by his mother and I and steps have been made to ensure this never happens again.

As the paper says, there was no danger to anyone. There was no ammunition and As a matter of fact, my son turned himself in when he realized how much trouble he was in. Please remember here that the boy is only 10 years old and, while he was taught and should have known better, was niave as to how severe his actions where.

He did not bring the gun to school to threaten anyone, as a matter of fact. The gun was brought to school because another boy convinced him that he could turn in into a "laser gun" that would protect me the next time I went to Iraq. Once he discovered that this was not true, he turned himself in. There was absolutely no ammunition and no threats where ever made. This may sound hard to believe but you once again have to realize that we are talking about a 10 year old boy.

I have taught my children that they were to never touch a firearm without a parent present. The firearms in my house have always been put away in a safe location but where not locked away. This was the way that I was raised and I was niave to believe that this was okay. In the future, all firearms in the house will be kept secure behind lock and key. And apparently I have to look at the way that I chose to educate my children on the dangers of mishandling firearms or any weapons.

My son is a good student, enjoys reading books and playing pokemon in his free time and is by no means a bulley or threat to society. He is a typical 10 year old with a vivid imagination, and regardless of what you may believe, a loving family that has taught him manners and values. Please know that this situation is being dealt with but I ask that you do not attempt to crucify an otherwise good child for a childish mistake. I know that he can recover from this and we are all making the necessary changes to ensure that this never occurs again.

I understand how upset everyone is and I can honestly say that if the shoe where on the other foot I would be equally as concerned for my children. I can only offer my apoligies and I ask that you allow us to deal with this. We have begun family counseling to help us open up our communication with him. I really wish that I was there to help my wife and children through this time.

If you would like to dicuss this further you can either respond here or leave my your contact info and I would be glad to speak with you. This is a small community and I know the importance of keeping an open line of communication.

I agree with the majority of the comments here too. One thing I think, and I'm sure it's NOT "politically correct", is that the names of the "children" who were involved should be printed. Right next to their proud parents' names. As I said, that wouldn't be considered politically correct, because I'm sure it violates their right to privacy. God forbid we infringe on their rights, as I'm sure they would never infringe on ours or our children's rights. Oh, that's right, they did. Knowing their names would give the innocent additional information with which to help us protect our families. This could be the way to help them learn accountability.

Just a thought.........

I, too, am very disturbed over this incident. As a parent of a fellow FOURTH GRADER, I worry. I emphasize "fourth grader" because that's who we are ostracizing. He is still a child, an elementary-aged child.

I don't think we should place blame on West--I think they have taken the appropriate actions in this scenario. I'm not going to yank my children out of public schools because of this (even though I am deeply concerned)---that is asinine! Private-school children have the same accessability to items such as guns, knives, etc.

My concern here is this: Why did the child have access to a gun? I don't care "how you were raised", it is NOT ACCEPTABLE! MY child has spent time at YOUR house--did you ever call me and say, "hey, I have unlocked guns in my home. Will that pose a problem???". No, you didn't. For your ignorance & non-chalant atitude, my child has been around an unlocked gun. THAT is the troubling, unacceptable reality that YOU need to deal with at this time.

This is not the only incident we've dealt with over recent months. And this doesn't only pertain to West Elementary. This is a nationwide epidemic. When do the actions of our children fall upon us as parents? Bomb-threats, false fire-alarms, angry (very angry, aggressive) children....we need to step up to the plate and be the parents. They won't know the difference between right and wrong if they're not learning it at home first. That's not a school problem---it's a parent problem.

I have no problem signing my name to this one~

Randa Webb

I understand parents wanting to stand up for their children. I personally dont care how old the child is and what the reason for him taking the gun to school was. The fact is he brought a deadly weapon to shcool. There may have been no ammounition with the gun but that doesnt cover the fact that he took the weapon to school.Many of you may have read the story about a month ago about the guy that tried to rob the liquior store. Well he didnt have amunitoin in that gun either and is serving time for what he did. He only put about 5 ppl in danger that day. This kid brings a gun to school and puts not only the children at risk but the staff too. You so the math! Also we have children taking drugs to school and calling in bomb threats and they all are punished reasonably. Yet This 10yr old brings a gun to school and we just slap him on the hand all because hes 10. To me that just tell the next kid that wants to bring a gun to school that its ok the punishment will be minor. I thought this school district followed the rules of 0 tolorace? And if in fact they do why doesnt this apply?

I sympathize with the father of one of the boys who wrote, and the boy's mother who is here trying, I assume, to hold the family together, but, bottom line: whoever is responsible for making possible access to the gun is the one who, in my opinion, should be held responsible legally. And the boys, however many of them there were, should be severely punished.

I am the parent of one of theses boys that was suspended , My boy has gotten a 5 day suspention becouse he did not tell the teacher that the other boy showed him the gun . He is being brought up in front off the school board just as the boy who brought the gun to school and he is also looking at a possible expeltion for one year just like the boy who broght the gun to school . Dont get me wroung I as a perant also beleave in Zero tolerance in the school system , but come one to hold him to the same standards as the boy who brought the gun to school ...

I agree that these children should not have been placed in the situation that would allow them to get their hands on a gun in the first place. And NO, please do not call me antigun. I have a collection of weapons, and yes I hunt. I also raised two children to adulthood; and they had access to our weapons if they chose to go into the closet and get one out. They also were taught to treat EVERY gun as if it were loaded and never touch a gun without the presence of their parents. From reading the dads letter I feel this is the way he has taught his children.

On the flip side every child matures at a different rate. Some children are very gullible especially when it comes to the thought of them losing their protector, in this case their father. Our children are growing up in a world filled with doubt for their own future as they reach adulthood. Can any of you honestly remember back to when you were a child and then place yourself in the shoes of a ten year old whose parent is in the military and is deployed. I know I can't!

I attended Mountain Home from kindergarten to senior year, and let me tell you, there is not a lot that can be said for the district as a whole, but being a close relative to the TEACHER who was confessed to, I've got to say that you can't put this situation on the staff or West. I understand the difficulties of stopping your kids at every turn, but come on people. If a kid brought a watergun to school, they were suspended, when I was there, not too long ago. This is a real gun, and from the things I have heard from the teacher, it makes me uncomfortable to know that the punishment is so lax. Just thought I would add my two cents.

I see people on here saying things like "he is only 10 years old". You need to remember that age has nothing to do with something like this. A few years ago there was a school shooting in Arkansas, the shooters were a middle school aged boy and his elementary aged brother with sniper rifles. Yes it is unfortunate that a young boy made such a horrid decision, but he made it none the less. There are Zero Tolerance rules in place for a reason...to protect our children. If just a slap on the wrist is the punishment that occurs here, it is doing a disservice to all involved in this incident; the kids at school, the teachers and staff who work there, and the community in general, because there would now be a precedent where it is ok for someone to bring a gun to school...next thing you know Mountain Home will be remembered like Columbine. I myself have taught in a school where a student of mine was shot on the front steps to the school right before the first bell of the day. I can tell you first hand that it is one of the most frightening things anyone can experience. To dismiss this as saying, but he is only a boy is completely wrong.

I know many people in the military, in all branches of service, and know absolutely NONE of them that leave guns laying around NOT locked up. I have grown up with guns all of my life, growing up and living in rural areas all of my life, growing up hunting etc. Yes this boy may have been taught to not play with them, but if they are laying around like has been said, it is an open invitation for a horrific tragedy in the making.

Parents need to step forward and teach children what is right and what is wrong, the school can only do so much in that way. I commend the staff at West for the rapid response in the situation, albeit there is much that needs to be done about this yet, and not just sweeping it under the rug by the school district, the community and the parents of those involved.

I apologize in advance for the re-post. What are we doing? We want to "know who the children are?"; we want them to suffer repercussions like adults would; we want the school to be held accountable. What are we going to accomplish if we find out who the children are? We could certainly banish them further (most of us know who the children are & wish we didn't--ignorance is bliss, ya' know). The repercussions---okay, let's put this 10-year-old in an adult prison. THAT makes sense. We could have him kicked out of school, but what good would that do? Giving the child no education or a sub-standard education is not going to help him---it might actually turn an otherwise good child into an angry, non-productive adult. Yes, he made a huge mistake. I don't like it, am not happy about it and certainly don't condone it. But, it happened. I'm pretty sure he now understands the gravity of his actions and with counseling, the parents working with the school (who, by the way, I have ZERO complaints with), and education, he will probably keep his nose clean from now on. He's a child----call off the lynch mob!

Thanks for the sermon, Freedom:

"God has never really been gone from schools, God been undercover, its time to let the freedom bell ring and let God back in the light of truth of this thing we call public education. that has in history of the United States been a truth, God is the Answer, has always been that way and always will."

My response:

"God is dead." Friedrich Nietzsche.

If you think God will keep kids from bringing guns to school, you are a bigger idiot than I thought.

its better than what we got, just gotta watch tv, I would not ever think about sending my kids to public education, no way, thats a fools game, and we're fools for paying the tax too support it

People may think Im Idiot, but I don't see anyone else coming with Ideas or Anwsers to these problems, thats telling. if leting the freebell ring is a problem, wow

The rumor mill is going because of a couple of things. First, my son did not have a glock 45. I know this because I do not own one. It was a .22 cal handgun made by beretta and unfortunately since it is made of composites it does resemble some of the fake guns out there. If you would like you can look it up, it is called the Beretta Neos. Second, he did turn himself in, regardless of what you may have been told by your children, My wife was told by the principal that he approached the teacher and told her what was happening.

Also there is a case of mistaken identity here. If you think you saw me picking up my child from school last week than you are mistaken on who you think the child/parents are. The child that had the gun (mine) is not the child that has a previous record or bullies people. He is a good student with no past problems that was talked into doing something stupid by one of the other kids and he didn't think it through.

Everyone keeps saying that the gun was "lying around". This is incorrect and as a matter of fact the gun was in a case, unloaded, six foot up on a shelf in the back of a closet. Unfortunately my son knew exactly where to find it. I have already corrected this deficiency and there will never again be a chance that my children could access them without me being present.

In addition comparing my 10 year old to an adult that chose to rob a liquer store is not a fair comparison. If you think it is than you have unrealistic expectations of children.

I am not asking for a free pass for my child because I am in the military or because I am deployed. I am simply asking for everyone to calm down and let us work this out. The school will settle on an appropriate course of action and we will make the appropriate changes at home.

Food for though, under the same laws children are not allowed to possess firearms in vehicles on school property either. Just drive through the high school parking lot during hunting season and see how many firearms you can find. It is overlooked because we are a small town with a tradition of hunting/shooting/outdoor sports. The only difference is......high school age children are supposed to be able to make better judgement calls than a 4th grader.

Hold the school board accountable??? What about the parents of those kids??? The schools have enough to do to try to keep our students safe. They can only react when something like this happens. If the parents of the child who brought the gun got more than a slap on the wrist, you could bet they would be making sure their child wasn't bringing stuff like that to school.

LOL. "Letting the freedom bell ring" is your solution??? Spare me the cliches bro, that's no real solution either.

And maybe there is no right answer. Maybe it just is what it is. If you don't like public education, you can absolutely home school your kids. Just don't expect them to turn out normal or possess very many social skills.

Millions of kids have gone through our public schools without being shot. Look at the statistics before you start sounding like a religious paranoid freak.

lets not forget, we have 20 million childern who are poor, 4o million childern don't have health care, 3 million childern sleeping on the street, 28.000 hand gun deaths. 7 million people in prison/probation/parol, 1-100 people in prison and we spend 40 billion arresting 895.000 (40 million people for 40 years) people for smoking pot. for some reason that don't make sence, where did all these people come from,,, public education.

Then to make things worst the Government has the Gall to ask tax payers, property owners, and people whe eat food and drive too pay for it every year. hate too be a bearer of bad news, ahh its pretty clear (that dog don't hunt) and some needs too tell the hunter that.

From your most recent post, I can now clearly see why you hate education, freedom. It doesn't look like you ever got one.

Your posts are harder to read than a minature Bible. Clean it up bro.

I love how everyone one on here can be so quick to condemn this kid. We do realize that we are talking about a 10yr old and not a teenager right? I have a 10yr old and I would hope to GOD that he never did anything like this, and if he did I would hope that I would remember that he was 10 and made a freaking mistake!!!!

It happens people that's what CHILDREN do is make mistakes and learn from them, when they get to be teenagers they are no longer CHILDREN they are YOUNG ADULTS and don't have as much room for mistakes they should know better.

So I ask all the freaked out parents what should happen to the little boy who brought the gun to school? Should he be expelled, possibly throw him in jail? Should we take him to the town square and publically beat him until he can't stand any more? Maybe we should let all of the angry parents berate him until he cries that might teach him. What do you think should happen to the parents? Maybe we should throw them in jail yea that's a good idea then the kid can end up in foster care and become screwed up. Or what if we take them to the town square and beat the hell out of them would that ease peoples minds? Who has a good idea as to what should happen because I'm curious.

None of you know what goes on in his house or what his parents teach him, you don't know anything about him except that he brought a gun to school. Bet some of you who have kids that go to West that are his age they've probably played with him on the play ground and he is a normal little boy. But we are so quick to judge and become frightened and make new laws against guns because they kill people. Let Mom and Dad do their job. Did anyone read what dad wrote? He has learned also so back off.

Put yourself in someone else's shoes for a minute!!!!!!!

Public stoning's are always fun. =)

WOW. Comparing THIS issue to Columbine is like comparing a traffic accident to 9-11. Where were the parents? Well, as you've already read, the dad was deployed and the mother was probably busy being mom AND dad. And, these parents have taken many admirable steps to make sure this NEVER happens again, all without blaming the school or society or anyone else but themselves. Where was the discipline? Again, you've read this child DID know the rules but chose to disobey. Where were YOUR parents every time you made an error in judgement? Where do YOU store your kitchen knives? BB guns? Baseball bats? All are deadly in the right hands.

I concede it was a BIG error in judgement and that punishment of some sort is in order, but you really can't hold a ten year old to the same standards as an adult. And, how is being taken out of school in handcuffs, suspended with a very distinct possibility of expulsion and even criminal charges, and having your family's name dragged through the mud(we ALL know how small Mountain Home can be) a slap on the wrist? And sure, let's give out the names of these children so all the nosy parents know WHO to scoff at and who to ostracize even further. Let's allow these families to be terrorized by their neighbors(I've seen it happen for lesser offenses). You want a Columbine on your hands? THAT'S the way to get it. Label and stigmatize a couple of pre-teens as psychotic criminals.

I really need to stop reading these posts--I'm getting very angry! I'm pretty sure this mom is reading all of these horrible posts written about her; is anyone taking into account HER feelings? Can you, for one brief moment, put yourself in her shoes? She probably feels so helpless right now. She's alone, raising her child or children without any help, and having her parenting bashed by all of Mountain Home. This kind, loving town has become a judgmental, uncaring mecca for better-than-thou's. She probably doesn't even want to leave her house right now for fear that she may run into one of us who know who she is. It's hard enough to be a single parent (when the spouse deploys, that's what we become)--being the mother, the father, the taxi service for soccer practice, the homework-helper, the cook, the bed-time story reader, the hugger, the "nurse", the bill-payer, the disciplinarian, the housekeeper, the groundskeeper, the grocery shopper, the EVERYTHING for your family, all the while, trying to keep it together and putting on a happy face so that you don't cause any further stress on your husband who is thousands of miles away. I feel horrible for my original bashing and I apologize to the family for that. I sincerely hope all that she gets for this is a simple slap in the hand because I think they've realized the danger that was caused. Until you've been in her situation, you have no right to judge her. I feel nauseated by the cruelty of the people who live here.

I really debated with myself over making comments or not, well, I won or lost the battle, so for better or worse......MrFresh, I give you credit for trying to bring some levity into this, I believe the public stoneings you are referring to were in the 60's era John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance." Perhaps if we as ADULTS take a hint from that very point....we are talking about children, hardly even really pre-teens yet. This is a military town, parents are deployed somewhere almost every day. In this particular case the father is deployed to Iraq, in the mind of a 10 year old when creative little boys put their heads together perhaps he needed to believe that his friend could help him make a weapon to protect his daddy.

I commend Dad for trying to help calm the situation by taking the time away from the serious situation he is likely in and responding to the venom that is being posted against his son. I remember 27 years ago when I became a new military wife being told that when our husbands were TDY or deployed that we were not to give them upsetting news as it would affect their work etc. Because of the seriousness of the situation this couple is apparently trying to work together to handle the situation. Personally, I say support the efforts of these parents to correct the situation rather than condemn them.

As for the child, the 10 year old child…he made the decision to bring the gun to the school based on what his friend had told him. A question for SinisterCadre since you seem to love a good argument…..did the mom put the gun in the child's backpack? Did she leave it lying on a table where he could walk up and take it like it was a piece of candy? Or, do you think it was likely put away in a parent's drawer in their room or in a closet high on a shelf? What child has not gone snooping in mom and dads room?

My opinion for what it is is this, no matter how responsible a parent is, no matter how hard we try to avoid things happening, they are going to happen and they do. As I have said before and will say again, it takes a village to raise a child, it is up to all of us to support rather than shun.

Let's blame it all on the mother, of course. Isn't it always the mother's fault? The mother must have convinced this child he could potentially save his father from being another casualty of war. The mother MUST have instructed the child to climb up into the top of the closet. I mean, don't ALL moms check their kid's backpack before going to school? Don't we ALL pat down our children every morning? Don't we ALL follow our kids around every second of the day(somehow splitting into multiple mothers-one for each child)? You're absolutely right-the mother should be thrown in jail for assuming her child was NOT living in constant fear of his father dying.

Blame the mother that instilled such values in her child that, once he realized his mistake, TURNED HIMSELF IN.

Again, I'm not excusing the actions of the child, nor am I saying the parents aren't at all at fault. They've already admitted that, and with much more class and tact than most of the posters here. But, how many times has your child done something potentially very dangerous when you turned your head? How many times has a lapse in YOUR judgement almost harmed your child? Do you use your cell phone when you drive? Ever left the stove on accidentally? How many times have you thought to yourself, 'I'm SO glad no one saw that!'? This child unfortunately made his mistake in public. Dad's naivete has admitted to HERE and has been aired on the evening news. This family is paying for their mistakes while the whole town watches with the interest and fervor I thought was reserved only for prize fights and train wrecks.

oh, and SinisterCadre should refer to the posts from the father in this situation, who had already stated the gun wasn't 'lying around,' and the ammunition was ENTIRELY out of reach.

For the record, I am NOT a gun-totin', tobacco chewin' good ol' boy. Actually, I'm probably the last tofu eatin', tree huggin' hippie liberal left in our fair city.

Good day,

I am a concern parent and very outrage when I heard the news of this incident like many of you… However, while this is a very visceral subject/topic there is no excuse for this! I have read the posts the from other concern citizens. That being said, I do respect the fact that the parent spoke up and gave a public statement. I feel that was very honorable to shed some insight of this dilemma.

However, please read West's policies:

A. WEAPONS

1. Weapons are defined as follows:

a.) Any device, instrument, material, or substance designed to cause serious physical

injury, or any item which, under the circumstances it is used, attempted,

or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing serious physical

injury. Weapons may include, but are not limited to: firearm; dirk knife, bowie

knife, dagger, or straight razor; metal knuckles; any explosive, incendiary, or

poisonous gas; any combustible or flammable liquid; or any other item

which is used to threaten, strike terror, or cause bodily harm or death

even though it is normally considered to not present a danger to others.

2. Students who possess, store, or use firearms as defined in section A.1.a, without prior

written permission from school officials, will be expelled. The Board of Trustees reserves

the right to expel a student permanently.

References: Mountain Home Idaho (West Elementary) School policy, {online} retrieved from http://www.mtnhomesd.org/handbooks/07-08/West-Student-Handbook-07-08.pdf

Date viewed 2 March 2008

Mountain Home School District will not admit, prior to a hearing at the end of a one-year

expulsion period, any student who has been expelled from another school district for

violating the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994. Students expelled for possession, storing, or

IV using a firearm as defined in Section A.1 will be referred to the appropriate criminal or juvenile justice system.

After reading West schools policy, it appears that they are not following their own policy, as it states they should be expelled. Period!

If you disagree, I encourage one to consider the following facts:

The 2002 edition of Injury Facts from the National Safety Council reports the following statistics [1 ] :

* In 1999, 3,385 kids ages 0-19 years were killed with a gun. This includes homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries.

This is equivalent to about 9 deaths per day, a figure commonly used by journalists.

The 3,385 firearms-related deaths for age group 0-19 years breaks down to:

* 214 unintentional

* 1,078 suicides

* 1,990 homicides

* 83 for which the intent could not be determined

* 20 due to legal intervention

Of the total firearms-related deaths:

* 73 were of children under five years old

* 416 were children 5-14 years old

* 2,896 were 15-19 years old

Reference: Injury National Safety Council, 2002, {online} retrieved from http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/guns.htm Date viewed March 1, 2008

While you may argue that this is small community and this won't happen…I don't want to be proved wrong do you…?

While the burden of blame is on the parents and child(children), this is a community problem. What is the answer? Should the school/Mountain Home Police dept be proactive and teach on gun safety?

This may make some uncomfortable to have the government, in the form of the schools administration, to step in and many will argue it the parent's responsibility. Conversely, we need to set the egos aside and do what is best our children. The underlining problem is that we need to ensure this does not happen again! Period!

I expect the school to step up and give the parents more up to date information! A detail letter stating that our children were in harms way, a vague letter that was distributed is not sufficient….!

The school is in malfeasance of its own policy...I understand this is a delicate situation nevertheless, Mountain Home Schools must send precedence that this will not be tolerated!

The aforementioned fact speaks loudly and if we don't listen to the precursors and ACT on them we can only hope for the best …but expect the worst.

I hope many will share my view!

Respectfully,

Idaho citizen

While I understand where the concerns below come from, let me remind you that, as stated in the letter we all received on Wednesday, our children were NOT in harm's way. There was no ammunition. NONE. The gun was unloaded. I have read all the same statistics. I've read the school's policies. I don't really understand the outrage at the school's response to this situation, though. There is a hearing pending and the child is very likely to be expelled. And, once again, this 10 year old was taken out of school in handcuffs and processed as a juvenile criminal. HOW is that lax? I would assume that those who are 'outraged by this horrendous act' are equally outraged that a Canyon County official 'forgot' to take his gun out of his carry-on bag at the airport, and after a BRIEF questioning was sent on his merry way-allowed to continue his flight! I happen to think THAT is ridiculous.

And as far as the parent's culpability goes, let's all remember THEY DIDN'T BREAK ANY LAWS.

You can disparage this family's ability to raise children all you want-I TOO remember what it was like growing up with a healthy fear of my parents. I knew my place. Kid's today DON'T, but let's look at why...

Children are quizzed and probed at school about their home life. They're given the impression early on that ANY physical punishment is considered abuse; any strong words are verbal and emotional abuse. Gone are the days when we could take our kids out behind the woodshed, or even threaten to do so. It's now the parents that fear the call from CPS.

And idaho citizen, respectfully, could you put away the thesaurus?

Personally I think Loki007 has hit it right on the head bringing discipline into this discussion. Ever since former Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus went on his witch hunt in the mid 80's -- early 90's parents have been afraid to look at their children cross eyed because all the child had to do was say something to a teacher and wham you were in for child abuse.

As for the school district and Board of Education, well those of you who have um, pull um out, yep I am referring to the Idaho State Board of Education handbooks. There is a statute in there that clearly states that all children are given the right to a free public education. Now, look a little deeper into the 6 inch thick notebook of statutes, if a child has a current IEP they legally must be given a free public education in the least restrictive environment. What that boils down to is this, if this child is expelled from the school, he is still able to petition to be admitted to any other elementary school in the state AND if he has a current IEP then the parents have the right to demand that a private tutor be paid by the district in which he lives, to come into the home and educate him.

Just food for thought.

Just out of curiosity would it be so outrageous for the school to dedicate some time to the dangers of guns? I know that education begins in the home, but if I can learn about something so personal as my monthly visitor (trying not to gross anyone out)in 6th grade or even take sex ed in JR. High at the school wouldn't you think that the school would want to promote education that could possibly save lives?

Think about it as parents would you be ok if the school held a gun safety course? They don't have to let the kids actually touch any guns they can keep them in a glass case, and have a police officer explain to the children how dangerous a gun can be in the hands of a person who thinks it's a toy? Do you ever think that your children could relate to a cop better? Sometimes we tell our kids things and they look at us like we're just making it up because we don't want them to have any fun.

I personally plan on telling my daughter about all of the fun of being a woman, and about sex, and about guns even though I already know the School has taken it upon themselves to discuss some of that with my child. I think they need a gun safety course!!!!

Missylynn, I don't think that's too much to ask. As with the sex ed courses, parents could opt out of the class. In a more rural area such as this, I half expected there to be such a program already. Having an outside source REAFFIRM what we as parents have taught our kids couldn't hurt. Like you said, sometimes kids take other authority figures more seriously.

If there's an issue with the school system heading such a program, maybe the local police department could offer something? We have assemblies for fire safety, 'stranger danger,' and other situations that could threaten a child's well-being, so asking for similar attention to gun safety is a logical request.

LOL. You people won't even support a bond to fix your school buildings, and now you think they should teach a gun safety course?

Where do you suggest they get the money to fund such a course...pull it off a tree? Cuz you know the taxpayers sure won't foot the bill, not in that town.

Mr Fresh, you are so discouraging. Just because we don't believe in all the school bond stands for, doesn't mean we wouldn't support something like a gun safety course and why couldn't someone volunteer their time during one of the assemblies at no cost to the school district? Instead of looking at all the negatives and criticizing everyone, why don't you think of ways to help the community out? This is a very serious situation and your mindless chatter is not helping!

I give Mrfresh credit for making a valid point-an in depth gun safety course would require more tax dollars, but please don't generalize. Some of us 'people' have no problem paying a little extra to insure our kids are properly educated-and in a safe (and updated) environment.

And, I wasn't demanding a six week course. How much would it cost for an hour long assembly?

Here is a thought that hasant been tossed into the arena yet...several years ago when my kids were in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts I made arrangements with the Mountain Home Police Department and they sent out an officer with his K-9 and did over an hour presentation on drug abuse etc. Now, that was before the DARE program, so here is my thought...get the PTT or PTA or whatever they call themselves now, together and have them solicit sponsors from businesses to put together a program, open it to all ages and parents together. All you need is a parent or two to take charge and run with it. As for the school bond, it truly is time we support it. Oh and yes, I support it and anything else that benefits our children in school, however be aware, my kids are 20 and 24 so they are no longer a part of the district, but my tax dollars are!

Mancill4, Please get in touch with me, at lucky_charmz11 it's a yahoo email. I am military and so is my husband and we have kids around your son's age and one goes to West. I'm sure with you being deployed and all this controversy going on your wife could use a strong support system (here in Mt Home). I was concerned when I first heard about the story and decided to read the blogs b/c I knew they would contain "follow up" information. I was frustrated with the public condemnation of your son, you and your wife, then when I read your letter, I broke down and cried. This is insane and my heart breaks for your little boy. If I hear from you by email, I will provide you my phone number and make arrangements to meet your wife, if that's ok. I'd really like to help out if you'll let me. My husband and I both have been left behind to parent alone while the other was deployed MANY times, and I can tell you from experience, it's hard and a strong friend who's not suffering the same at the moment can do a lot of good. Please let me help. And any of you idiots who decide to also send me an email to spread more of your idiocracy, BRING IT ON

I would like to thank everyone that has posted positive or constructive comments. Your support and understanding have been very appreciated.

LOL. The Mountain Home School District has been begging for money for years and NOW you pledge your tax dollars to help them out? Because of one incident like this? Do you really think those bonds were not just as important to your child's education and safety?

Wow, now I know why I'll never raise my kids in a place like this.

And sorry I'm not encouraging enough for you, HeatherJ. I guess its not a very encouraging world. Sorry to disappoint you, but It's not my job to offer solutions. I do, however, get a laugh from reading all of the MINDLESS ones posted on here and will continue to comment on them until I get booted off.

Oh, and have a nice day! There, that make you feel better?

We need to look at the bottom line. It really doesn't matter how old these children are, they violated a district policy (that the parents were given when they registered their child) and should be expelled as per the policy. If they don't follow though with policy this time what standing will they have if it happens again. A ten year old can shoot someone just as easily as everyone else. A ten year old is also very capable of knowing that bringing a gun to school is not an appropriate thing to do. Though the parents should have explained gun safety issues with their child, I don't feel the mother willingly let the child bring the gun to school. I have to wonder how it is he brought a gun in a box to school without anyone noticing or asking what is in the box? I thank God that it wasn't loaded. I really feel that the school handled this issue in the best and most professional way and deserve support and not outrage. It is great that they have the procedures they do in place to deal with these issues. Think what could have happened if they didn't and it was loaded. Just my two cents worth.

What I know happens in these situations is that everyone gets on here and blames, points the finger, complains and yet DOES NOTHING. After reading ALL of the post's I went to the NRA website and I have contacted them. Action instead of just words is what is going to help...this barage of negativeness isn't going to do a thing except make someone else feel like a failure and you feel like you have changed the world...NOT! I will let you all know what they say, I am willing to take action...anyone else??

The mountain home news and just about every one here has the father of the gun totten boy Deployed to Iraq ... but the truth here is,he is in the states and in school himself ...The mother told me that if he came back home to help in this matter that he would be kick out of the military ... SO lets take the boy away , put the mother in jail, get the father kicked out of the military and just go on with our lifes ... My Son was the other boy and he is a good boy his grade are good , he has had some problems before but not bad ones , Im to blame for that becouse of me and hismother spliting up... So lets take my son away also put me in jail (he lives with me) beet his mom , then everyones Perfect little world can get back to normal ... The 10 yr old boy that brought the gun to school did so by him self my son didnt help him take it down from the closet , he did not help him put it in his back pack and also did not help him on the bus or in the car so his mom could bring him to school ... Every morning i sign my name to an agenda , it is in his back pack and i have to take it out and to do it i take out his backpack ... I look every morning... So how much is this going to cost the city of mountain home. Lots ... Mistakes were made on all parts...

Dear g4kdz (I hope I got that right),

Was the NRA helpful? What did you find out? You're so right about action; those who are able to act should do so. "Venting" alone will not accomplish much.

So after reading all these blogs, the one that interested me most was the one that posted West Elementary's Zero tolerance policy, and I was wondering where exactly does it say a child that only knows about a gun or dangerous weapon will be expelled or suspened for that matter. I believe there is even a supreme court ruling stating that you cannot hold a child under the age of 10 responsible for the safety of others. And although many of you believe both boys are 10 years old, the one boy who knew about the gun is only 9. Imagine that, the newspaper got their facts wrong, granted it's only about the age of one boy, but a small mistake like that, makes you wonder what else they haven't got their facts straight on, and not just the newspaper, people in general tend to get facts wrong all the time.