Student Nearly Suspended Over LEGO-Sized Gun

image via SI Advance

Just how little tolerance is zero tolerance? A Staten Island fourth-grader was reprimanded and almost suspended yesterday when the principal spotted him playing with a LEGO policeman and a two-inch-long toy gun during lunch, the Advance reports.

Under the city's no-tolerance policy regarding guns in schools, PS 52 Principal Evelyn Matroianni brought 9-year-old Patrick Timoney to her office and called his mother to say the boy might be suspended for carrying the miniature toy gun to school, pending the approval of the Department of Education's security administrator. When contacted, the administrator reportedly said the toy should be confiscated and returned to the boy's parents, however no other punishment would be necessary.

"It's crazy," the boy's mother, Laura Timoney, told the paper. "He's missing class time, all for silly toys. The boys are just trying to relax. If there's a real threat, why not call the Police Department?" She noted that another child had brought an action figure that was carrying an ax, but only her son was punished. "When are we going to take responsibility for common sense and logic?" In 2007, a New Jersey 7-year-old was suspended when he drew a picture of gun.

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By Ben Muessig in News on February 3, 2010 5:01 PM

Comments [rss]

jimINdq

I've been a principal at elementary, middle and high school. You've got to use common sense and remember the intent of the rule you are inforcing. Every rule has a "lower limit" where the action of student isn't severe enough to qualify as an infraction of the rule. I don't care if it's a no-tolerance rule or a dress code rule. One big problem is that schools now have too many rules. The student handbook might give you a hernia if you carry it around. A consequence of our "sue happy" society and/or leaders who want the comfort of a rule so that they don't have to defend their actions. As a principal you can count on two things: you're going to get sued and you're going to get "a good cussin' out" on a regular basis. It's just the nature of the job. So why not just relax and do what you think is best for your students and your school.

Jesse

God bless America education system. Keeping everyone down since 1776.

Pachinko

When does a Lego beat cop carry a Lego AK47 assault rifle?

potsmoker

since a small glock or whatever cops use wouldnt pass the "will a dumb 9 year choke on this test".

LEGO LAW$UIT!!!

JenChungsBaby

There was also that girl who got suspended for bringing an Advil to school. So stupid.

mom24

I think that my 4 year old has already brought a Lego gun to preschool. You know, cause it looks so much like a real one. Listen, I know that teaching is not an easy job, but c'mon. Someone has to have some common sense in these schools. Just absurd!

NannyState

That principal has obviously never stared down the barrel of a .0038.

JacqueMehoff

actually I blame bloomberg and his gun fetish.

now even the sound of a perceived gun racking it's slide can get you jail time. note to self, buy a wheelgun.

Snoopy

The way this country is going it makes total sense.

What next? If someone says "underwear" in a theater the person is a terrorist.

valeriob

dugg

eat vegans

What about a banana if I point it like a gun? What about my hand if I gesture that I am shooting something?

ides_of_march

Already happened. I read a while back where kids were suspended for pointing a finger and saying "bang."

eat vegans

its a good thing im not in school anymore, I would have been in trouble everyday

Rocknrope

Seriously. I used to carry a pocketknife to school, and one day while talking to my 7th grade teacher at her desk, I was taking off my jean jacket and the knife fell to the floor. I tried to play it off and cover it with my foot, but my class nemesis yelled "Hey, you dropped your knife on the floor!" Dick. Nowadays that probably would have gotten me kicked out. Catholic school no less.

Snoopy

I hear you. I did get in trouble once when I was in eighth grade and I smuggled a water pistol into the classroom inside a carved out text book. The only reason I was caught was because some suck ass nerd who played the tuba in the high school band ratted me out. The teacher was beyond herself trying to find the water pistol.

Nowadays I would probably be doing 15 to 20.