Parents Furious After Boys Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns

TALBOT COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) — Is it child’s play or a serious threat of gun violence? For the second time in less than a month, a Maryland child is kicked out of school for using his finger in the shape of a gun.

Kai Jackson has more on the controversy.

No one is debating the importance of keeping children safe. The question being asked is what’s child’s play and what’s not?

There’s controversy at a Talbot County school after two 6-year-old boys were suspended while playing cops and robbers during recess and using their fingers to make an imaginary gun.

“It’s ridiculous,” said parent Julia Merchant.

This is the second time a Maryland child has been suspended for such play. Earlier this month, 6-year-old Rodney Lynch was suspended from his Montgomery County school after pretending to fire an imaginary gun more than once.

“Just pointing your fingers like this and then she did the pow sound and I just went like that and then I got sent to the office again,” Lynch said.

The school reversed its decision after Rodney’s parents appealed.

“They’re saying he threatened a student, threatened to shoot a student. He was playing,” said Rodney’s father, Rodney Lynch Sr.

“I do not believe maliciousness was involved here,” said child psychologist Dr. Joe Kaine.

Kaine says most 6-year-olds’ minds aren’t developed enough to understand why their idea of fun play might make adults upset.

“I can certainly appreciate that at school, that’s not a type of play that they are going to endorse and I certainly support that, but that’s where we educate the time and place for doing things,” Kaine said.

A number of parents agree.

“Suspending them is a bit harsh and I don’t think that’s gonna do any good for the parent, child or school,” said Janet Geotzky.

The number of suspensions has been on the rise in Maryland. School leaders say they will try to reduce those numbers.

Parents Furious After Boys Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns

http://www.freedomreport.org/two-6-year-olds-suspended-for-using-imaginary-guns/ Two 6-Year-Olds Suspended For Using Imaginary Guns… | Freedom Report

[...] headline, 5th story, link) Related stories: TEXAS THREATENS TO ARREST ANY FEDS WHO TRY ENFORCING NEW GUN REGS…White [...]
http://gridironfans.com/forums/crossfire-forum/210547-6-year-olds-suspended-playing-cops-robbers.html#post1522295 6 Year Olds Suspended For Playing Cops And Robbers At Recess And Using Finger Guns – GridironFans.com

[...] [...]
http://ibankcoin.com/news/2013/01/15/two-six-year-old-students-suspended-for-having-imaginary-weapons/ Two Six Year Old Students Suspended for Having Imaginary Weapons | iBC_FN | iBankCoin Financial News

[...] Full article [...]
http://endtimeheadlines.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/parents-furious-after-young-boys-suspended-after-playing-with-imaginary-weapon/ Parents Furious After Young Boys Suspended After Playing With Imaginary Weapon « END TIME HEADLINES

[...] If a punishment for a hand gesture sounds too severe to you, you’re not alone. “I do not believe maliciousness was involved here,” said child psychologist Dr. Joe Kaine. Kaine says most six-year-olds’ minds aren’t developed enough to understand why their idea of fun play might make adults upset. “I can certainly appreciate that at school, that’s not a type of play that they’re going to endorse and I certainly support that but that’s where they educate time and place for doing things,” Kaine said. Many parents agree the kids were just being kids. “They just don’t know any better. Suspending them is a bit harsh. I don’t think that’s going to do any good for the parent, the child or the school,” said Janet Goetzky. Talbot County school officials declined to explain the punishment or comment for this story, citing confidentiality requirements. Over the last few decades, the number of school suspensions has been on the rise. Maryland state school officials are working on a plan to reduce those numbers. Source [...]
http://endtimesnewss.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/parents-furious-after-young-boys-suspended-after-playing-with-imaginary-weapon/ PARENTS FURIOUS AFTER YOUNG BOYS SUSPENDED AFTER PLAYING WITH IMAGINARY WEAPON | Andrea EndTimeNews

[...] If a punishment for a hand gesture sounds too severe to you, you’re not alone. “I do not believe maliciousness was involved here,” said child psychologist Dr. Joe Kaine. Kaine says most six-year-olds’ minds aren’t developed enough to understand why their idea of fun play might make adults upset. “I can certainly appreciate that at school, that’s not a type of play that they’re going to endorse and I certainly support that but that’s where they educate time and place for doing things,” Kaine said. Many parents agree the kids were just being kids. “They just don’t know any better. Suspending them is a bit harsh. I don’t think that’s going to do any good for the parent, the child or the school,” said Janet Goetzky. Talbot County school officials declined to explain the punishment or comment for this story, citing confidentiality requirements. Over the last few decades, the number of school suspensions has been on the rise. Maryland state school officials are working on a plan to reduce those numbers. Source [...]
http://battlefieldusa.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/face-it/ Face it… | Battlefield USA

[...] “I can certainly appreciate that at school, that’s not a type of play that they are going to end… [...]
http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/maryland-to-ban-childrens-fingers/ Maryland To Ban Children’s Fingers | Real Science

[...] Parents Furious After Young Boys Suspended After Playing With Imaginary Weapon « CBS Baltimore [...]
http://ourrvadventures.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/and-so-it-begins/ And so it begins . . . « Our RV Adventures

[...] apparently now finger guns are [...]
http://usconstitutionalfreepress.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/parents-furious-after-young-boys-suspended-after-playing-with-imaginary-weapon/ Parents Furious After Young Boys Suspended After Playing With Imaginary Weapon « U.S. Constitutional Free Press

[...] Read more here. [...]
http://blog.tonyjohnson.net/?p=6491 Two Six Year Olds Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns While Playing Cops And Robbers During Recess | Tony Johnson

[...] TALBOT COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) — Some parents on the Eastern Shore say school officials there went too far in disciplining a couple of six-year-old boys. Derek Valcourt explains the boys got into trouble for bringing an imaginary weapon to school. What started as a recess game of cops and robbers at a Talbot County school turned into a controversy after two six-year-old boys were suspended for using their fingers to make an imaginary gun. Many say a suspension is going too far. “It’s ridiculous,” said Julia Merchant. And it’s not the first time. Earlier this month, six-year-old Rodney Lynch was suspended from his Montgomery County school after pretending to fire an imaginary gun more than once. “Just pointing your fingers like this and then she did the pow sound and I just went like that and then I got sent to the office again,” Lynch said. School officials reversed their decision after Rodney’s parents appealed. “They’re saying he threatened a student, threatened to shoot a student. He was playing,” said his father, Rodney Lynch, Sr. If a punishment for a hand gesture sounds too severe to you, you’re not alone. “I do not believe maliciousness was involved here,” said child psychologist Dr. Joe Kaine. Kaine says most six-year-olds’ minds aren’t developed enough to understand why their idea of fun play might make adults upset. “I can certainly appreciate that at school, that’s not a type of play that they’re going to endorse and I certainly support that but that’s where they educate time and place for doing things,” Kaine said. Many parents agree the kids were just being kids. “They just don’t know any better. Suspending them is a bit harsh. I don’t think that’s going to do any good for the parent, the child or the school,” said Janet Goetzky. Talbot County school officials declined to explain the punishment or comment for this story, citing confidentiality requirements. Over the last few decades, the number of school suspensions has been on the rise. Maryland state school officials are working on a plan to reduce those numbers. Source: Pat Dollard [...]
http://wmbriggs.com/blog/?p=7056 Firearm Homicides Dropping. Assault Weapons Ban Not Correlated With Decrease In Homicides. No Need For New Restrictions. | William M. Briggs

[...] The two rivals, equaling or exceeding in lethal importance to “assault” weapons (and other non-handguns), are knives and other types of weapons, such as poisons, strangulations, and fire. Yet we never hear even rumors of politicians wishing to ban fire. Though we do hear, all too often, of impaired officials banning children for pointing their fingers. [...]
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/billintheblank/2013/01/the-faithwalkers-daily-jan-16-gun-control-wednesday-property-rights-and-wetlands-liberal-tax-on-smoothies/ The FaithWalker's Daily — Jan. 16: Gun Control Wednesday, Property Rights and Wetlands, "Liberal Tax" on Smoothies

[...] Via CBS Baltimore, kids are already paying for the insanity as two six-year-olds get suspended for “finger guns.” [...]
http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/schools-no-tolerance-policies-extend-to-childs-play/ Schools “No Tolerance” Policies Extend to Child’s Play « The Foxhole

[...] Parents Furious After Young Boys Suspended After Playing With Imaginary Weapon [...]
http://kfyo.com/chads-morning-brief-for-01-16-13/ Chad’s Morning Brief for 01.16.13

[...] CBS Baltimore: Young Boys Suspended for Playing Cops and Robbers [...]
http://www.czhliw.com/2013/01/parents-furious-after-young-boys-suspended-after-playing-with-imaginary-weapon-cbs-baltimore/ Parents Furious After Young Boys Suspended After Playing With Imaginary Weapon « CBS Baltimore ← Constitutional Zombie Hunting Libertarian Info-Warrior

[...] Parents Furious After Young Boys Suspended After Playing With Imaginary Weapon « CBS Baltimore. [...]
http://www.libertynews.com/2013/01/two-six-year-olds-suspended-for-playing-with-imaginary-guns/ Two Six-year-olds Suspended for Playing with Imaginary Guns – Liberty News Network

[...] Zero tolerance in a Brave New World: [...]
http://kenoshamargetwo.com/2013/01/16/wednesday-mourning-11/ WEDNESDAY MOURNING | Witch's Will

[...] link: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/01/15/parents-furious-after-young-boys-suspended-after-playing-wi… [...]
http://ingunowners.com/forums/break_room/262382-suspended_for_using_fingers_as_guns.html#post3734326 Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns – INGunOwners

[...] [...]
http://www.rightwinggranny.com/?p=17182 Overreacting To A Perceived Threat | Right Wing Granny

[...] CBS Baltimore reported yesterday that two six-year old boys were suspended after playing cops and robbers during recess and using their fingers as toy guns. Needless to say, the children‘s parents are furious. [...]
http://goldtent.org/?p=222928 Poster's Paradise » how dare they – play cops and robbers

[...] baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/01/15/parents-furious-after-young-boys-suspended-after-playing-with-imag… [...]
http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/football/407108-breaking-kshb-reporting-police-have-arrowhead-stadium-lockdown-27.html#post4038889 BREAKING: KSHB reporting that police have Arrowhead stadium on lockdown – Page 27 – Blowout Cards Forums

[...] its assualt weapon ban Then its all guns Then its imaginary gun ban Parents Furious After Boys Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns CBS Baltimore __________________ Official Blowout 2010 Topp Magic Refractor Autograph set collector! Official [...]
http://www.towncrierdubuque.com/the_town_crier/madness Madness | The Dubuque Town Crier

[...] Read more >> [...]
http://ramparts360.com/who-will-win-the-war-of-ideas-west-or-middle-east/ Who Will Win the War of Ideas – West or Middle East?

[...] Maryland: Parents Furious After Boys Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns [...]
http://www.isthatbaloney.com/6-year-old-buys-suspended-for-using-fingers-as-guns/ 6 Year Old Buys Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns

[...] more on this story of pure insanity from Baltimore.CBSLocal.com [...]
http://www.nuttynewstoday.com/2013/01/boys-suspended-for-playing-cops-and-robbers-at-recess/ Nutty News | Nutty Facts | Nutty Jokes | Nutty Videos | New Nutty News Every Day at www.NuttyNewsToday.com

[...] This is the second time a Maryland child has been suspended for such play. Earlier this month, 6-year-old Rodney Lynch was suspended from his Montgomery County school after pretending to fire an imaginary gun more than once. Full Article [...]

	Full Program Grid
7:00 PM	60 Minutes
8:00 PM	NCIS: Los Angeles
9:00 PM	The Good Wife
10:00 PM	The Mentalist
11:00 PM	Eyewitness News at 11
11:35 PM	Criminal Minds

Local

Parents Furious After Boys Suspended For Using Fingers As Guns

January 15, 2013 11:23 PM

Filed under

Related tags

Popular Entertainment Photo Galleries

Follow CBS Baltimore

TV Schedule

Poll Of The Day

Summer Guide

Show Your Orange & Black Pride!

Who’s #1 This Week?

Cute Baby Animals

Select a Live Stream

News, Sports and Talk Radio

Music Radio