Pownal woman issued criminal citation for March 19 gun incident at elementary school (copy)

A Pownal woman received a criminal citation for Negligent Firearm Storage following a concerning incident at Pownal Elementary School on March 19. The citation, issued by Lieutenant Harrington of the Bennington County Sheriff's Department, was directed at Crystal Mahar. Sheriff James Gulley Jr. emphasized the importance of shared responsibility in maintaining school safety.

The situation unfolded when a student brought an unloaded 9 mm handgun and 67 rounds of ammunition to the school. This troubling information was communicated via social media, prompting other students to alert their teachers. In response, the educators acted swiftly according to established school safety protocols.

Thanks to the quick response from school safety officials and law enforcement, the student was safely removed from the classroom, and the gun and ammunition were located in his backpack. Sheriff Gulley commended the teachers for their prompt actions, stating they helped avert a potentially dangerous situation.

Further investigation into the incident is being managed by the State's Attorney's Office, which has all related documentation. However, details about the juvenile involved remain confidential and cannot be disclosed due to privacy laws.

Sheriff Gulley concluded by underscoring the vital importance of responsible firearm storage to ensure the safety of communities and schools. He urged all gun owners to take the necessary precautions to secure firearms away from children.