Student Faces Expulsion For Rifle Incident

A high school senior could be kicked out of school for leaving a rifle in his truck.

There are strict rules about bringing weapons onto school property, but there is some leeway built into Missouri law.

But the family of 18-year-old Steven Weeks is worried he won't get any. Weeks is an avid hunter. On Nov. 1, he went into the woods after school.

"I decided I was going to go hunting before the football game, so I came home grabbed my .22 and an extra box of shells," Weeks told KMBC's Dan Weinbaum.

After hunting, Weeks came home, ate and then went to the football game at Smithville High School. He said he forgot he had an unloaded rifle on the passenger seat of his truck.

"I made the mistake of locking my keys in there, and that's when everything started getting bad," Weeks said.

Someone told police about the rifle and Weeks was arrested.

"It was very scary," Weeks said.

"As a parent, his punishment was that night in jail," said Angela Wilmes, Steven's mother.

No charges were filed, but Weeks' parents say the school district is still seeking full punishment.

According to the Missouri Safe Schools Act, if a student brings a weapon to school or a school event, he or she could face expulsion or suspension up to 180 days.

However, the superintendent may modify the punishment on a case-by-case basis.

"The point of the matter is the boy made an honest mistake, a bad decision, did not get the gun out of the truck," said Ron Wilmes, Steven's father.

Weeks said he accepts that he should be suspended, but he doesn't want to miss his chance to graduate.

"My dream is just to graduate and walk with my class," Weeks said.

He is currently serving a 10-day suspension.

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• Smithville
• Missouri
• rifle
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