Student Brought Gun To Anne Arundel School, 12-Year-Old Not Charged Because Of New Law

FORT MEADE, MD — County police said they cannot charge a 12-year-old accused of bringing a gun to MacArthur Middle School recently.

Officers cited a new juvenile justice reform law known as house bill 459.

"A 12-year-old can no longer be charged with certain crimes, including bringing a handgun & ammunition to school," the Anne Arundel County Police Department said in a Friday press release. "Since the law took effect on June 1, 2022, we have had dozens of cases where juvenile suspects were located, identified, and unable to be charged."

The agency said those cases include "assaults, weapons violations, intimidation, harassment, drug charges, theft, burglary, sex offenses, threats, motor vehicle thefts, animal abuse, arson, and incident exposures."

Detectives worked with the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office and the Ft. Meade Provost Marshal's Office during the gun case at MacArthur Middle School.

The principal said there is no evidence that the student threatened anybody with the gun.

Gun In School

A teacher noticed what he thought was a handgun in a student's fanny pack around 2:45 p.m. Thursday, MacArthur Middle School Principal Eugene Whiting said in a letter to families.

The teacher immediately notified the school's administration. The student was then taken from the classroom and escorted to the office, Whiting said.

The principal said a handgun and a magazine were found in the fanny pack. The gun had no bullets in the chamber, but a magazine with ammunition was inserted into it. More ammunition was found in the fanny pack.

The school resource officer confiscated the weapon as the investigation continued, the letter said.

Whiting said the investigation revealed that several students saw the gun earlier in the day but did not report it.

The principal said the school "will take swift and appropriate action in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct with regard to the student who had the gun."

"I want to applaud the quick actions of our teacher, who did exactly as outlined in our emergency protocols," Whiting said in the letter. "The teacher's actions were prudent and helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation. Because of the teacher's efforts, other students were not involved and we did not have to implement other increased security measures."

Whiting said the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Office of Student Services is always available to discuss school climate. The principal urged anybody with safety concerns to call the anonymous Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line, which is reachable 24/7 at 833-MD-B-SAFE (833-632-7233).

"I urge you to talk to your student this evening and emphasize that our school must be a safe place for learning," Whiting said. "Please reinforce with them the need to tell a responsible adult immediately if they are aware of any danger."

MacArthur Middle School is located on Fort George G. Meade.