'Young Marine' Faces Expulsion For Replica Rifles

[DeanC]

'Young Marine' Faces Expulsion For Replica Rifles

POSTED: 8:41 pm MST February 9, 2009
UPDATED: 2:04 pm MST February 10, 2009

DENVER -- For Marie Morrow, the equipment left in the back seat of her car was for an upcoming competition. She said she never expected it would lead to her being suspended from school -- or possibly expelled.

"I take responsibility, it was my mistake," Morrow told 7NEWS. She left three drill team "practice" rifles in plain view of passing students last week.

Morrow, who says she has a 3.5 grade point average, is a member of the Douglas County Young Marines. She said she spins the practice rifles for the organization’s drill team.

Staff members at Cherokee Trail High School were alerted by concerned students who thought they might be real, said a Cherry Creek Schools spokeswoman.

"They went inside. They were anxious. They were frightened," school district spokeswoman Tustin Amole said.

The mock rifles are made of wood, with duct tape, to resemble a real rifle.

Amole explained the school district’s policy mirrors state and federal laws about weapons in schools, and calls for "mandatory expulsion" when possessing a dangerous weapon in any school building.

A student conduct handbook states a dangerous weapon includes "a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or a firearm facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm."

"You have to remember these laws were implemented in the years after Columbine," Amole said, and added the school was left with no choice.

"We follow the state law," Amole said.

"I understand exactly why the policy is there," Morrow said on the east steps of the state capitol Monday.

Chris Proctor, commanding officer of the Douglas County Young Marines, praised Morrow's commitment to the program and school.

"For her to have to go through this is completely insane," Proctor said.

The Young Marine Organization is the official youth program of the U.S. Marine Corps and focused on drug reduction and leadership, Proctor explained.

Morrow, dressed in her drill team uniform, visited the capitol to visit with lawmakers about the possibility of changing the state statute relating to weapons in schools.

"It should be up to the discretion of the school board to say, 'OK, there's no intent, it was just a mistake,'" Morrow said with her mom, brother, and friends looking on.

Morrow, who plans to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy, met briefly with and gained support from several legislators on the hill.

Sen. Scott Renfroe, (R-Weld County,) said the 17-year-old was the topic of discussion among fellow senators.

"We need to look at this and add some common sense to our statute," Renfroe said.

Reps. Cindy Acree, (R-Aurora,) and Frank McNulty, (R-Highlands Ranch,) held an impromptu meeting with Morrow and her family inside the capitol.

Acree told 7NEWS she doesn't fault the school district for enforcing state laws.

"We just have to make sure it's not overbearing for our administrators and students, so they can still be kids," Acree said.

She explained she may seek to amend the state statute with a late bill during the current legislative session.

Acree added she is also writing a letter to colleagues "so we can support (Marie) before she goes to her hearing."

Amole said an expulsion hearing will be held within 10 days of a student suspension. An expulsion officer will make a recommendation to the superintendent, who will rule on the length of expulsion.

Morrow said she her expulsion hearing is Feb. 20.

"I'm just hoping I can go back to school and graduate with my class and take my AP tests and all that," she said.

[hammAR]

Semper Fi little sister.......

this has been posted on most MIL boards and the school and legislators are getting "thousands" of emails and letters........

[plblark]

That's one well raised 'Young Marine'. Talk about personal responsibility and an attitude of service. Notice how she responded?

It's state Law, I'm sorry to have worried anyone. I'll take my punishment. I hope to be able to etc ... And then went about changing the law so someone else isn't in her situation.

[lenny7]

Staff members at Cherokee Trail High School were alerted by concerned students who thought they might be real, said a Cherry Creek Schools spokeswoman.

"They went inside. They were anxious. They were frightened," school district spokeswoman Tustin Amole said.

In all this insane BS, there is a teaching point here. If you think you see a firearm in a students car and are worried, anxious and frightened about it, do not go inside the school (aka: downrange), go away from the school and call the school office.

I'd like to go protest this stupidity by marching up and down the sidewalk in front of the school with a 2x4 wrapped in duct tape.

[jgalt]

I don't like "zero-tolerance" policies in general, but I can understand the mindset of some who might have a problem with a student having rifles in her backseat. I disagree, but can understand. However... :

Amole explained the school district’s policy mirrors state and federal laws about weapons in schools, and calls for "mandatory expulsion" when possessing a dangerous weapon in any school building.

#1 - In a car in a parking lot is not "in any school building"
#2 - A piece of wood wrapped in duct tape - no matter what that piece of wood has been fashioned to resemble - is not a "dangerous weapon"

So WTF? Exactly what policy has been violated here? Effing idiots.

[ttousi]

Don't startle the sheep. The students who were scared are our future.

[Stradawhovious]

The students who were scared are our future.

Oh ****, you're right. We're screwed.

[FlyByNight]

Lat time I checked you can still kill someone with a pencil....therefore, wouldn't that be considered a "dangerous weapon" I also recall a time or two when the honor guard performed during school functions...parades etc...don't tell me they have to use "air rifles" (referring to the concept of air guitars) now...or perhaps there is a wii for this kind of thing? ......btw, the young marine is indeed the future I hope prevails!!

[Rip Van Winkle]

"They went inside. They were anxious. They were frightened," school district spokeswoman Tustin Amole said.

They are neurotic FOOLS! I bet they wet themselves.