A 46-year-old science teacher was arrested in Newton, Conn., Wednesday after allegedly bringing a gun to the town's middle school. The teacher, Jason M. Adams, was apprehended by the school's security personnel after noticing he was at work with a concealed weapon.
Upon investigation, it was found that Adams actually has a valid pistol permit. However, Newtown Police Chief James Viadero pointed out that his permit does not allow him to carry the weapon on school grounds. He was eventually charged with possession of a weapon on school property.
Though the teacher was eventually released without posting bond, he was placed on administrative leave by the school's administration. In an announcement, the school expressed the gravity of the incident.
"This matter is very serious and troubling, both the Newtown Public School system and the Newtown Police Department took immediate steps to address the matter. The teacher was immediately detained by security personnel," the school's announcement said. "Both agencies have been working closely together to investigate the incident and are taking precautions to ensure the continued safety of our students, staff and community members."
Fortunately, no students were in the building when Adams was found with the weapon since the entire school system was scheduled to start two hours late due to staff meetings. Thus, only other staff members witnessed the incident.
The officer who apprehended Adams is reportedly a retired police officer. After receiving reports from another teacher about Adams' concealed weapon, he promptly disarmed the science teacher and held him in an office until authorities arrived.
So far, Adams has not released a statement about the incident, and the reason why he took the weapon to work remains unknown.
Guns and other firearms in schools has become a very sensitive topic in Newton following the December 2012 tragedy in which a gunman went on a rampage, killing 20 students and six teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The incident, which ended with the shooter killing himself, deeply wounded the community. Since then, security officers have been stationed in schools in order to curb any violence on school grounds.
While it is possible that Adams did not really have any malicious intent when he brought the gun to school, he took the deadly firearm to the wrong place, at the wrong time.
