Airsoft gun confiscated from elementary student on Kiski Area school bus

Kiski Area administrators cautioned families about the disruption “lookalike” weapons can cause in school settings after an airsoft BB gun was confiscated during a Friday afternoon elementary bus run.

A driver on a South Primary/Upper Elementary school bus was alerted that a student was in possession of the inoperable gun and immediately confiscated it, according to a letter to parents from South Primary Principal Brian Kutchak. The driver then returned to the school.

The letter didn’t indicate that anyone was harmed during the incident nor did it detail what disciplinary measures it might trigger.

“The safety and security of our students is always our top priority,” Kutchak wrote. “The school administration is reviewing the incident and will take the appropriate steps according to district policy. We take these situations seriously and remain committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students.”

Kutchak urged parents to tell students not to bring to school any item that resembles a weapon.

“Whether a toy or a real weapon, any item that resembles a weapon can cause disruption, fear and confusion, leading to serious consequences,” he wrote. Lookalikes, he added, “can easily be mistaken for real weapons, and we must all work together to ensure that our school remains a safe place for everyone.”

“BB guns typically use metal BBs or pellets, while airsoft guns use plastic pellets,” according to the website of Eshooter Technology. “BB guns generally have higher velocity and power, but airsoft guns excel in realism.”