Iowa girl suspended for empty shotgun shell at school
(Oct. 28, 2009)
Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines, Iowa, girl who brought an empty shotgun shell to school to show her science teacher was suspended for violating the school's weapons policy.
Authorities say 12-year-old Jazmine Martin brought the shell to school last week. It was a souvenir from a summer vacation to South Dakota. It was empty and had the word "blank" written on the front.
Jazmine said that during fourth period, she was pulled out of class and questioned about her souvenir.
Brody Middle School Principal Randy Gordon said Jazmine actually brought a bag of shell casings and shared them with other kids.
Gordon said that even though they were empty, the casings are considered ammunition, which violates the school's weapon policy.
minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/28/iowa-empty-shotgun-shell-suspension/