Student brought handgun and ammunition to Vermont school

Police in Vermont are investigating an incident at Pownal Elementary School. A student brought an unloaded 9mm handgun and 67 rounds of ammunition to school on Wednesday. The Bennington County Sheriff's Department reported that this was discovered after the student posted about it on social media. Other students saw the message and quickly informed their teachers. The school staff acted swiftly to remove the student from the classroom and secured the weapon and ammunition from the student’s backpack. Sheriff James Gulley praised the students for their quick thinking, noting it helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation. School administrators contacted the Vermont State Police, who then dispatched authorities to the scene. According to the school district, there are no ongoing safety concerns for the community. Details about the student’s age or grade have not been released, as the investigation continues. Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union Assistant Superintendent Laura Boudreau expressed gratitude to the students who reported the incident and commended the school staff for following safety protocols. The incident highlights the importance of speaking up if something seems wrong, as noted by Sheriff Gulley. Research shows that there have been 275 incidents involving guns brought to schools by children under 11 from fall 2017 to spring 2023. Most of these occurred in the last two school years, suggesting that access to firearms among young people may be increasing.