A teenager was arrested Tuesday after bringing a gun to school with him in Marion County.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen reporting that a 16-year-old student at North Marion High School had brought a rifle to school. MCSO’s School Resource Officer notified the dean of students of the report that the student brought a weapon on campus in his vehicle. The dean, who has the authority to search student’s property, entered the teen’s unsecured truck and upon lifting the back seat up, found a black .22-caliber rifle along with 15 410 shotgun shells. A copy of the United States Constitution was covering the gun in the back seat of the vehicle. The teen advised deputies that he “forgot” the gun was in his vehicle.
According to Florida Statute 790.115, the possession of a firearm on school property is considered a third degree felony. Students in violation of this law will not only face legal ramifications for their behavior but could also face severe consequences from the school administration.
“Our school is in a rural area, and guns in vehicles are not unusual. However, in every instance, it’s never appropriate to have a gun on campus – be it in a truck, backpack, or wherever,” said North Marion Principal Ben Whitehouse.
This is the second firearm located in a student’s vehicle in less than two weeks at the school. The teen was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school property. He was transported to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Facility.
