Our readers in Florida know that this is a very tense time in our country when it comes to guns and weapons, particularly in regards to people who possess these items on or near school grounds. But, there is a balance that must be determined, between the right of individuals to protect themselves and the rights of others to be free from the threat these weapons can present when they are in the wrong hands. It appears that both sides of the issue were at play in a recent incident in Fort Myers, but the ultimate result was that a 16-year-old girl was arrested.
A recent report noted that the young girl is alleged to have brought a stun gun to her high school, Dunbar High School in Fort Myers. It is unclear how school teachers or administrators found out that the young girl was in possession of the stun gun on school grounds, but when they did find out they reportedly searched her backpack and found the item. In referring to the arrest report from this incident, it appears that the young girl told the school administrators that she had the stun gun with her at school because, at the time she walks home from school at the end of the day, it is dark outside and she was afraid for her safety.
Nonetheless, the young girl was arrested and is now facing a charge of possession of a weapon on school property. It appears that this particular school is especially sensitive about the presence of such weapons on school grounds due to an incident from earlier this year, when a student was stabbed by another student at the high school.
This case will have a variety of factors for the defendant to consider. What are the criminal defense options? Can a plea agreement be reached? How will her future be affected by this arrest? These, among other factors, will weigh on the young girl as this case proceeds.