Man's gun triggers alarm while registering child for school

**csmith** · August 14th, 2012, 06:05 PM

Posting this here due to the conversation that will more than likely follow regarding state law pertaining to the issue.

Standard Speaker

The parent of a future Hazleton Area student was detained in the lobby of the district administration building Monday when the school's new walk-through metal detectors found the parent was carrying a concealed handgun.

District Superintendent Francis X. Antonelli said the parent did have a license to carry the firearm, but state law prohibits guns on school property, even when the gun-owner is properly licensed.

"There are signs posted outside the building that guns are prohibited on school property," Antonelli said. "Plus there is a sign advising visitors that they will have to walk through a metal detector upon entering the building, so there is ample warning."

According to Antonelli, the incident unfolded around 8:30 a.m. as a district security guard was manning the walk-through metal detector located in the lobby of the administration building. The parent came into the building for a scheduled appointment to enroll a child in the school district for the upcoming school year.

Antonelli said the alarm on the metal detector sounded as the parent walked through, alerting the guard to the presence of a concealed metal item. Upon discovering the hand gun, Antonelli said the guard detained the parent and summoned district Security Supervisor James Henry from his office, which is located right off the lobby. Henry responded to the lobby and notified state police for assistance.

Antonelli said the parent was "for the most part cooperative" with the district protocol. The incident has been turned over to state police, Antonelli said.

The building was fully-staffed with administrators and secretarial personnel at the time of the incident. Parents are also entering and leaving the building almost constantly throughout the day at this time of year for student registration and enrollment.

There were no injuries as a result of the incident, according to the superintendent.

"No one was ever in any danger," Antonelli said.

The incident serves as an example of the effectiveness of the new metal detectors, which are installed at the entrance to the administration building, high school, career center and Ninth Grade Center. Every person entering those buildings must pass through the detectors. The district also has portable walk-through detectors at are used at various times in the district elementary-middle school buildings.

"Even with a permit, it is against state law to bring a weapon onto school property. Inside the building or outside, it's all school property," Antonelli said. "The message is very clear, if you bring a weapon into the school, you will be detained and turned over to state police."

**SNAFUG36** · August 14th, 2012, 06:33 PM

Well, here's that test case we've all been hoping for. Best of luck to the guy.

**Johannes_Paulsen** · August 14th, 2012, 06:37 PM

On the plus side, it's good to see that school security is good at catching people carrying firearms who walk through the door...as long as they had no ill intent in the first place.

Wonder if this guy actually intended to be the test case or just blundered in?

**CenterTree** · August 14th, 2012, 06:40 PM

There were no injuries as a result of the incident, according to the superintendent.

"No one was ever in any danger," Antonelli said.

The incident serves as an example of the effectiveness of the new metal detectors, which are installed at the entrance to the administration building,

Yeah and the ineffectiveness of the "no guns" signs alone.

**CenterTree** · August 14th, 2012, 06:41 PM

There were no injuries as a result of the incident, according to the superintendent.

"No one was ever in any danger," Antonelli said.

The incident serves as an example of the effectiveness of the new metal detectors, which are installed at the entrance to the administration building,

AND doesn't THIS ^^ make our whole case???

**Preble Pro** · August 14th, 2012, 07:04 PM

If this ever comes to the point that donations are needed, I will gladly contribute.

**sprrdhawk44** · August 14th, 2012, 07:10 PM

We shall see. Tagged.

**Howard Bullock** · August 14th, 2012, 07:16 PM

If memory serves me correctly the law does not state firearms are not permitted on school property. It defines schools. The admin building may not qualify if it is not on the same property as a school defined below.

IANAL

18 Pa.C.S. § 912: Possession of weapon on school property

(b) Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses a weapon in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any elementary or secondary publicly-funded educational institution, any elementary or secondary private school licensed by the Department of Education or any elementary or secondary parochial school.