A .22 caliber pistol was discovered in a student’s book bag at a Far Rockaway elementary school Thursday morning, said police.
According to NBC New York, after the 7-year-old’s mother dropped him off at Wave Preparatory Academy, she allegedly returned later to take her son to a doctor’s appointment. When she came back with him to the school, the gun was discovered and police were called.
Authorities confiscated the weapon and the school was reportedly put on lockdown.
While investigating the incident, police also found a flare gun that the same child brought into the school, said the NYPD.
Initial reports stated that the firearm was loaded, but NY1 later reported that there were no bullets in the gun, but some were found in the book bag.
The incident comes just a day after President Obama introduced legislation to reduce gun violence in the wake of recent devastating shootings, including the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.
On Tuesday Governor Cuomo also signed legislation to make New York gun laws the strictest in the country.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
- NY passes toughest gun laws in country
- President calls for stronger gun laws following recent mass shootings
- At Queens shooting range, assault weapons not a concern
