Sheriff discourages gun presence at bus stop after NSMS incident with assault weapon

Published 2:40 pm Wednesday, August 28, 2019

A woman who brought an AK-47-style assault weapon to a bus stop did not violate the law.

Stanly County Schools said there was an incident with a parent at a bus stop for North Stanly Middle School Monday afternoon.

“I understand the bus pulled up to the bus stop to let a student off and there was a woman with a weapon there,” Sheriff Jeff Crisco said. “She was carrying it.

“By law, she has not violated the law in any way,” he added.

SCS implemented a safety plan that included its own investigation, communication with families concerning presence of law enforcement Tuesday at the school and the bus stop where the incident happened and communication with the sheriff’s office.

“The safety and emotional well-being of our students are paramount,” SCS Superintendent Dr. Jeff James said. “We will be addressing our concerns in writing to the parent.”

Crisco stressed bringing the firearm to the bus stop was not the right thing to do.

“We would discourage you — even though North Carolina is an open carry state — of taking it to a bus stop to pick up your child or grandchild,” Crisco said.