Former principal enters guilty plea to weapons charge

[Paladin]

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=4231976

"Former principal enters guilty plea to weapons charge
(6/02/06 - ODESSA, TX) - A former high school principal in Odessa pleaded guilty today to charge of carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.

Van Grady's plea comes after a shots were fired at Crockett Junior High School earlier this year.

In February, police answered a call after a gun went off inside Grady's office during school hours. After police found two pistols in his car in the school parking lot, Grady was put on administrative leave.

He took the stand today in his own defense, telling the judge "it was a horrible mistake."

Grady received two years of deferred probation and a judge ordered him to resign and give up his teaching certificate.

Grady's attorney says he's already complied with both orders."

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Certainly Van Grady's accidental discharge in school was a very bad thing, but I was glad to hear he only got deferred probation. The Clinton era prohibition on school carry is on of the worst gun control laws on the books. It creates a victim disarmament zone in a place where we really can't afford it. We should go to the Israeli model, where teachers routinely carry in schools.

[longtooth]

Agreed. The Tyler teacher getting shot last yr is a close to home reason.

[Photoman]

That's too bad. Someone out there actually taking precautions to protect our children and he ends up getting crucified. Sounds like he needs more gun training, not punishment. But I have different ideas about guns in schools than most.

[Venus Pax]

I'm a teacher & wish I could carry my gun to class with me.
I hate that this guy lost so much.
I agree that he needs a gun safety class, not probation.

[64zebra]

I totally agree. School personnel should have the choice to carry on school premises.
Right now we might as well put up a sign at the school entrances saying "scumbags/criminals welcome, we have no way to defend ourselves"

[pastor1]

Just for the record, it's not illegal to have the weapon in the school parking lot. I agree with ya'll. I am a teacher of at a large high school and I believe those with CHL's should be able to carry on school premises. They would have had to have passed 2 criminal background checks. One to get their teacher certification and one for the CHL. However, I believe it should be a stipulation that the educator must have the weapon on their person at all times. Not a desk drawer or any place else a student to get to it.

[Venus Pax]

pastor1, I agree with that.
I also teach & wouldn't want my gun where a kid could get it. I prefer it to be ON MY BODY.
I've gotten to the point where I don't quite feel right without it (and I've only had my CHL for about two weeks).