Nick Iannelli, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Do zero tolerance gun rules mean zero common sense?
If you ask B.J. Welch, he’ll fire back an answer of “Yes.”
“I definitely think it falls in the category of a harmless act,” Welch says about his son’s actions.
The 7-year-old boy was suspended earlier this month for forming his breakfast pastry into the shape of a gun.
Welch appealed the two-day suspension but thus far has not heard back from Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
“I was honestly expecting that it wouldn’t be an issue having it overturned or removed or whatever needed to be done,” Welch explains. “At this point it’s kind of frustrating.”
His story has inspired a piece of legislation making its way through the Maryland state legislature.
The measure would prohibit principals and other school officials from immediately suspending students for actions that could be considered childish or benign.
Meanwhile Welch has hired an attorney and says he will not give up the fight to have his son’s suspension expunged.
“My attorney is fully prepared to go as far as it has to go,” he says.