A Baltimore family received an unexpected visit from law enforcement recently after their 11-year-old son’s BB guns were seen in a virtual classroom. The person who saw the guns took a screenshot and reported them and some archery equipment hanging on the boy’s wall to police. Then a cascade of ridiculous apparently ensued, leading police to make a home visit.
BB Guns Prompts School to Call Police in Baltimore
“I had no idea what to think. I’ve never been in any legal trouble whatsoever. I’ve never had any negative encounter with law enforcement,” mother Courtney Lancaster told foxbaltimore.com. “I had no idea. I really didn’t know what to think.”
Here’s what Lacaster does know: weapons. A Navy veteran, the mother claimed to own vast knowledge of guns, including how to use them and store them. So she obviously felt stunned when officers wanted to search for weapons.
“So, I answered the door. The police officer was, he was very nice. He explained to me that he was coming to address an issue with my son’s school,” Courtney said, reported foxbaltimore.com. “And then explained to me that he was here to search for weapons, in my home., and I consented to let him in. And then I, unfortunately, stood there and watched police officers enter my 11-year-old son’s bedroom.”
BB Gun Prompts Police Search
Police then searched the kid’s room. The search stemmed from a screenshot taken by someone else during the class. That screenshot went to the school’s principal. Finally, the school safety officer called the police, reported foxbaltimore.com.
“I thought, this is outrageous. This is despicable,” Lancaster said, reported foxbaltimore.com. “I had no idea what in the world could this be over? BB guns never even once entered my mind. How many 11-year-old boys have BB guns?”
According to the mother, the officers spent about 20 minutes in the home. They found no violations or broken laws. Yet, one could argue they made a little boy very scared.
“I felt violated as a parent, for my child, who’s standing there with police officers in his room, just to see the fear on his face,” Lancaster said, reported foxbaltimore.com.
