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Speak Up! - View Question #24128 |
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Question: what can the law do to a 11 yr old if they take a weapon to school. is their a chance that the parent can also face some legal action
Answer: See the LawForKids law section on firearms for information on some Arizona statutes that discuss firearms..
There are a number of things that can happen. First, the school may suspend or expell the child depending on the type of weapon and what the child does with it. Many schools have a "zero tolerance" policy and will at a minimum suspend the child. Second, if the child is carrying a concealed firearm he could be charged with the felony offense of carrying a concealed weapon. In addition, if the child does something reckless with the firearm he could be charged with the felony offense of miconduct involving weapons up to aggravated assault if he points the weapon at anyone. If the child is carrying a knife, the school will still likely suspend the child. However, the mere act of possessing a "regular" pocket knife is not a crime in and of itself. To find out specifically what the consequences may be, given the facts of the situation, you may want to consult with an attorney.
With respect to parental responsibility and potential charges, I would have to say that it depends on the circumstances. For example, if a parent leaves a firearm out where the child can get it and does some harm to himself or another person, charges may be filed for child endangerment or the parent may even be subject to a civil lawsuit. It depends on the specific circumstances of the case.
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