Mesa schools say little about gun incidents

by Associated Press (February 22nd, 2012 @ 8:19am)

MESA, Ariz. -- Mesa school officials will not say if two students who recently brought guns and ammunition to school were expelled. A district spokeswoman says they're following the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits public release of student records. The district governing board president says it's best for the family to work the situation out in private.

The Arizona Republic reports on Jan. 18, a 12-year-old boy brought a gun to Smith Junior High School.

Twelve days earlier, a 7-year-old boy concealed a gun in his backpack and later told police he took it to school because he feared he would be kidnapped.

Mesa police say the 7-year-old will not be referred to juvenile authorities. The 12-year-old faces a possible felony charge that carries a penalty of up to 18 months detention in a juvenile facility.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com