A 14-year-old boy tried to sell a gun at a Chesterfield, Virginia school

School busPhoto byTungsten RisingonUnsplash

According to WWBT 12 News, a 14-year-old boy tried to sell a gun at Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield County. The activity occurred on Friday, October 11, in the parking lot during the morning's dropoff. The parent of a student was told that another student showed a gun and was trying to sell it. The parent reported it to the school, which prompted a lockdown.

Boy arrested

Police say soon after the report, the student was found off of school property with the gun on him. He was then arrested.

Steve Benjamin, 12 On Your Side’s legal analyst, says the teen could face a felony charge, and so could the parent or guardian of that student. Charges are pending.

Benjamin said:

“What we’re seeing across the country is increasing prosecution of parents where they negligently permit their access to guns causing injury to others.”

While the gun was never inside the school, Benjamin said the lockdown was the right thing because they had no idea if there was a potential danger there.

The lockdown was lifted around 10:30 a.m., but only after the school district confirmed the teen with the gun was arrested.

Benjamin added:

“We have the right to possess firearms, but with that comes the responsibility, that making sure the firearms are kept safely away from our children who don’t know how to safely use firearms and could endanger others.”

An earlier incident at Meadowbrook

Just a week ago, a stabbing took place inside Meadowbrook. Three students - a 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds - face charges after the violence. They could be tried as adults or minors.