Teacher surrenders weapon

[SecularMotion]

BENNINGTON -- A local teacher surrendered a Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle to police Monday, shortly after raising public safety concerns through videos and statements he posted on the Internet.

Steven Davis, a beloved science and math teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School for the past nine years, has been hospitalized since Monday following a mental health evaluation, according to Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette.

Upon advice of police, Davis was voluntarily transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, although Doucette said on Wednesday that Davis is now being held at the hospital. Davis is on administrative leave from his teaching position.

Davis purchased the AR-15 military-style rifle in April 2009, along with two high-capacity magazines and 500 rounds of ammunition. The gun and magazines were surrendered to police on Monday and police later confiscated the ammunition during a search of his home that was permitted by a family member.

http://www.benningtonbanner.com/ci_22301003/teacher-surrenders-weapon

[samsingh]

1. he must be very stressed.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. This is a case...

...where the police, in the role of fellow community member, took proactive steps at averting a situation that could have become much more than it did. This may be something that happens with some regularity but the only reason we know about this instance is due to the rifle. Without the rifle, and maybe even had it not been an AR-15 in particular, this may not have been news worthy.

Bravo Chief Doucette.

[krispos42]

3. Bennington, Vermont

God, I hate newspaper sites that don't tell you where in the world they are right up front.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

4. Agreed

and if I were going to Bennington I sure as hell wouldn't start here.

[gejohnston]

5. if I read this correctly,

he disposed of the rifle because he was concerned that his mental health was deteriorating to the point that he could be a danger to others? If that is the case, we agree that is a good thing. personally, I would have consigned it through an FFL or put it on Gunbroker and bought the wife a nice present with the money. But, that's me.
But then, most of my guns are kind of "fuddish".

Since I didn't see your take on it, we do agree that it was a good thing don't we?

[Eleanors38]

6. Eventually, most of us will make a similar decision. nt