OT - gun found at HS

[Mark Padgett]

On Monday, a teacher at an Oregon HS found a 9mm handgun and ammo in a backpack that was in the school's lost and found bin. The school doesn't know how the backpack got in there or how long it was there.

This was quite frightening for me since one of my grandsons goes to this school.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/arti...1/update<br />

[Bad Zebra]

At least they didn't find it in the stands in the gym. I hate trying to outrun the little red laser-sight dot during my games.

[Raymond]

Unfortunately around these parts weapons found at a school is no longer shocking news. My son's middle school got a threat that someone was going to come shoot up the school last month.

[Mark Padgett]

Ya' know - if this had happened back where I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, no one would have blinked an eye. It's that it happened out here in Oregon which is in the Pacifist, er, I mean, Pacific Northwest.

[chseagle]

Don't you mean the Pacifist Northwest??

It's becoming way too much of a common thing with weapons showing up at schools.

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Ya' know - if this had happened back where I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, no one would have blinked an eye. It's that it happened out here in Oregon which is in the Pacifist, er, I mean, Pacific Northwest.

[Welpe]

There used to be quite a few guns found on school grounds. They'd be in the racks of pickups during deer, duck, pheasant, etc season.

Of course this is just a wee bit different me thinks.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Welpe

There used to be quite a few guns found on school grounds. They'd be in the racks of pickups during deer, duck, pheasant, etc season.

Of course this is just a wee bit different me thinks.

I don't have the visceral reaction to guns that some do; even in the hands of teenagers. Probably a product of having grown up with friends who hunted. That said, a handgun in a random backpack is disconcerting.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I don't have the visceral reaction to guns that some do; even in the hands of teenagers. Probably a product of having grown up with friends who hunted. That said, a handgun in a random backpack is disconcerting.

I completely agree on all counts.

[Refsmitty]

Crazy people - like fans - have gotten out of control. Do any of you currently carry for protection or have any of you thought about it?

I have a concealed permit but have yet come to the point of carrying in my vehicle.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I completely agree on all counts.

I feel much the same. I'm not bothered by the gun at school per se, but the context is troubling. It's hard to imagine an innocent explanation for this one.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Refsmitty

Crazy people - like fans - have gotten out of control. Do any of you currently carry for protection or have any of you thought about it?

I have a concealed permit but have yet come to the point of carrying in my vehicle.

I live in Florida...everybody has a permit...everyone carries.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I live in Florida...everybody has a permit...everyone carries.

the follow up question is whether you're allowed to carry on school property.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Refsmitty

Crazy people - like fans - have gotten out of control. Do any of you currently carry for protection or have any of you thought about it?

I have a concealed permit but have yet come to the point of carrying in my vehicle.

No, and I think it would be a really bad idea. Statistically, the chances of a confrontation escalating to something really bad increase exponentially when a firearm becomes part of the equation. The only exception I could see are off duty law enforcement personnel - some jurisdictions require them to carry when off duty.

If you have an area or school where there is a potential problem, then it is the responsibility of the school to provide adequate security - if they won't, then refuse to work there.

While I have seen a number of loud mouth idiots and "fan boys", I've never seen anything escalate to a physical confrontation. If it ever did happen to me, I have other skills that, while they may be a little rusty, should be more than sufficient until additional assistance arrives.

Just for the record, I have nothing against firearms. I own a variety of hand guns and long guns, and am fully qualified with all of them.

[Refsmitty]

I don't disagree with you. Much the quandry I have - I own a lot of guns as well but am reluctant to carry for many of the same reasons you state... but it does make me wonder... it's really too bad.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

the follow up question is whether you're allowed to carry on school property.

This obviously varies from state to state. In Texas you could keep one in your car, or on your person on school grounds (not a building) as long as you are not attending a school function. For a high school / middle school game, one could legally keep it in their car. I don't but I have studied up on the laws.