District Sees Spike in Airsoft Guns at Schools
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: March 8, 2013
"They're just not appropriate to have at school under any circumstances," says Brad Reed, Director of Student Service for Bentonville schools.
Air-soft guns are appearing in Bentonville classrooms.
And they're triggering some strong disciplinary action.
"The most recent one was this week," Reed says.
This latest incident is No. 5 in a few weeks for the district, happening at two elementaries and one junior high.
"That should bring a lot of scrutiny, and that should heighten everybody's awareness," Reed says.
"You know, we don't want those things at school."
Reed adds, "They kind of look at them as like their toys, but they can hurt people."
He says, says by state law, any student responsible for bringing something like this onto school property is up for expulsion.
"But that same law also says that on a case-by-case basis that the superintendent has discretion to modify that punishment," Reed says.
As for what's caused the uptick in these weapons showing up at the schoolhouse, the district doesn't really know, but it does want to make sure parents know: safety remains the priority.
"We have sent a letter home to parents when each of these instances happen," Reed says. "To let them know that it happen, and that there was no danger at any time."
"We're going to do everything we can to try to make sure the schools are as safe as they can be here in Bentonville."
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