The student, an unidentified male and member of the junior class, was suspended from school until a hearing on the matter can be held with the School Board.

Principal Charles Coker said the student indicated he had no intention of using the firearm in school, nor did it have to do with issues within the school.

"He basically said it had to do with protection and didn’t have to do with anyone in school," said Coker. "He had issues with some people from another state and wanted to scare them."

Two students told a teacher about the gun around 10:15 a.m. on Dec 16. The teacher then told Assistant Principal Sean Kiley, who took the student out of his classroom and confronted him about the weapon. The student was cooperative and produced the weapon, according to a statement released by the school.

Coker said there were no prior disciplinary problems with the student and, to the best of his knowledge, the student had never even been referred to the principal’s office for discipline.

The student was taken into custody by Plaistow Police Department and his parents were notified.

Plaistow Police Sgt. Thomas Hawthorne said they believe the gun came from a friend’s house, but the investigation has not been completed.

Hawthorne said the student will be given a summons to appear in juvenile court, where a juvenile services officer will make a recommendation on a punishment and rehabilitation program.

New Hampshire state law requires a student who brings a firearm in a safe school zone be expelled by the school board for at least one year. The expulsion may be modified by the superintendent for extenuating circumstances.

In February 2004, an 8-year-old student at Sandown North Elementary School, which is part of the Timberlane School District, brought an inoperable pistol to school to show his friends. The student was transitioned back into school after approximately one month.

Superintendent Douglas McDonald said the incident at Sandown North was an example of an "extenuating circumstance" because of the child’s age and the unusable weapon.

"This is far more serious because this is a working weapon with a full clip of ammunition," said McDonald. "We will hear if there are extenuating circumstances at the hearing, but at this point I am not aware of any."

McDonald said he does not expect a decision on the punishment until after the holidays.

Coker credited his staff for their quick response and handling of the situation

McDonald said he is grateful the tragic lesson school administrators learned from the Columbine High School massacre has students alert to potentially dangerous situations as well.

"I’m very thankful some students understood how serious this was and decided to alert an administrator," said McDonald. "It could have been a lot worse."