"It doesn't even shoot bullets"

[Shorty]

From the Richmond Times Dispatch;

A 12 year old Henrico County boy doing a class-approved project on the history of guns has been charged with taking a working replica of a .44 caliber, blackpowder pistol to Moody-Middle School.
The student... found the weapon hidden in the attic of his family's home as he pulled out Christmas decorations.

This is the good part;

"It doesn't even shoot bullets," explained Henrico police Lt. Doug Perry.  "It's like a rvolver, but you don't put bullets into the cylinder like you would on a revolver.  You actually have to pack them with black powder and a ball.
"But it does work," added Perry.  "It's fully functional."

...He has been charged with possession of a handgun on school property, a felony.

"It was kind of a heirloom type thing that [the mother] had hidden in the attic," Perry said.  "The parents did everything to try to make it safe, so we're not going to pursue any charges against them."

 :roll:

[AeroE]

the gun is a replica, not an antique.

[Will52100]

Still I remember not that many years ago taking the frame and grip to an 1860 army replica to re-finish in shop class.  I cleared it with the Principle, and didn't have a problem.  Heck I used to make knives(or something like knives) in shop class and carry them home on the school bus.

[unspellable]

Damn!  And all this time I thought them little round lead thingies was bullets!

[leverfan]

My 5th grade teacher brought flintlocks to class to illustrate American history lessons.  In high school shop, everyone made "hunting tools", a.k.a knives, and some fellows in advanced shop made swords and machetes.  I'm only 32, and things have sure changed a lot since I got out of school.  

Still, given the current political/social/legal climate, a 12 year old that doesn't understand that firearms aren't allowed in school probably isn't smart enough to rise any higher than, oh, say maybe a Henrico police spokesman.  It doesn't sound like brains are required for that job, if that Lt. doesn't even know the difference between a bullet and a cartridge.

[AndyHass]

As late as 1995 I know they could bring shotguns in to use for speeches on gun cleaning in Speech Class in my old high school.  Now you can't even have one in the trunk to go hunting after school or they'll expel you.
   Expect society to keep going downhill along with parenting skills.  Thse things will only get worse.

[Bigdog57]

Times change.  In the early seventies, we made BP single-shot pistol kits in metal shop class.  Did model rockets too (real rocket engines, using a sort of "gunpowder'), and my friend and I used our shotguns with self-made blanks shooting into a steel drum for the cannon sequence in the 1812 Overture during a musical program.  The audience loved it!
Can't do any of that now.   :roll:

Methinks that Police Lt. is a political appointee, who's only firearm experience is his annual qualification shoot.  And he probably gets an automatic "pass" on that.    :?

[sgtt]

I think the Lt. was trying to down play the incident to the over zealous media.  He should be commended.

[willysjeep134]

how can bringing a firearm to school be a federal crime when the federal government doesn't consider an unloaded cap and ball pistol a firearm? Mabey they're seperate parts of diferent laws, or my understanding of the law might be wrong. I thought they didn't consider any guns made before 1898 (i think) or those taking obsolete ammo or those that didn't use fixed cartriges as firearms. That's why until my state made a law against it, anybody could mail order a cap and ball pistol with almost no trouble. Once loaded they were still considered weapons, so you couldn't carry a concealed cap and ball without a license. At least that was my understanding of the laws. I could be wrong.

[Ramrod]

Well I can see the cops point of view. When in doubt, make an arrest, let the judge decide. Not agreeing with it, just seems like the heat is off them that way. If the gun is "not a firearm" the Judge will have to let the kid walk.

[filmokentucky]

A lot of problems arise when laws are made by people who don't understand what they are trying to regulate. The police are then left to enforce these laws whether they agree with them or not. I think sgtt may
have a point there.

[Shorty]

'Reminds me of the time I drove up to the gate at an AFB with a Hawken in the gun rack of my pickup.  The AP said that I couldn't bring a gun on base.  I explained that it was NOT a gun, as it is a muzzleloader and is not legally a gun.  He finally said, " Well, put it behind the seat, and I'll let you go in".