Pistol Packing Mom Goes to Jail for Shooting Snake: 1 Year Ago

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Oct. 16, 2014.

When a water moccasin slithered its way into a recent Pop Warner football practice at Bay High School in north Florida, a 30-year-old mother took matters into her own hands.

After watching coaches try to round up the venomous snake with a stick, police say April Dawn DeMarco stepped in. She told Miren Gregory she had a concealed weapon permit and borrowed his gun to shoot at the critter to protect the kids, according to the Panama City News Herald.

The problem with that is discharging a firearm on a school campus is against the law. It’s also a violation of the law to have a gun on a school campus, even with a concealed carry permit.

The children were about 20 to 50 yards away from the snake when DeMarco fired, WCTV reported.

It is unclear if the snake was shot or slithered away.

DeMarco was arrested Monday for discharging a firearm on school property. Gregory also faces charges for possession of a weapon on school property, according to First Coast News.

Water moccasins, which are also known as cottonmouths, “are not necessarily aggressive,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says. However, “they are venomous and should be avoided when encountered.”

Photo Credit: A juvenile water moccasin/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission