Student May Face Felony Charge Over Unloaded BB Gun

Christine Reid writes, "A 16-year-old [Broomfield, Colorado,] high school student may be charged with a felony after school officials found an unloaded BB gun in his car. [..] The BB gun was discovered shortly after 9 a.m. when the boy parked his car in a lot not designated for student parking, police reported. An adult monitor at the school told the student to report to the office and then searched his car without his permission, according to reports. She reported finding what she thought was a real handgun to police. It turned out to be an unloaded BB gun."

Student may face felony charge over unloaded BB gun
By CHRISTINE REID
Scripps Howard News Service
April 08, 2001

BROOMFIELD, Colo. - A 16-year-old high school student may be charged with a felony after school officials found an unloaded BB gun in his car.

The student, a sophomore at Legacy High School, was released to his parents after the gun was found Wednesday under the seat of his car parked at Legacy the school.

The BB gun was discovered shortly after 9 a.m. when the boy parked his car in a lot not designated for student parking, police reported. An adult monitor at the school told the student to report to the office and then searched his car without his permission, according to reports. She reported finding what she thought was a real handgun to police. It turned out to be an unloaded BB gun.

The student told authorities he used it to target shoot at cans and had forgotten it was in his car.

Prosecutors informed police the charge was a felony and the student must appear in juvenile court.

"It is a deadly weapon by definition," said Adams County District Attorney Bob Grant.

Punishments that could be levied against the student range from several years in a locked-down juvenile corrections facility to a deferred sentence with probation.

The school official who found the gun was within her legal limits to search the student's car without permission, said Susan Carlson, director of public affairs for Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

"Cars parked on school parking lots are treated as a locker in terms of search and seizure," she said.

District policy allows for that type of search when there is "reasonable suspicion" that something not allowed on school grounds is contained inside. Carlson was unsure what circumstances led the Legacy official to become suspicious.

The student also faces disciplinary action by school officials. According to Adams district policy the infraction is grounds for exclusion, which could mean either suspension or expulsion.

(Christine Reid is a reporter for the Broomfield Enterprise in Broomfield, Colo.)