Gun At School: Loaded Or Not, It Doesn't Matter

New 5 viewers have debated on wkrg.com whether the gun a student brought to Clark School of Math, Science and Technology on Monday was loaded or not.
As we reported earlier, Mobile County school officials say the gun, found in the student's book bag, was loaded.

The child's mother contacted News 5 to say school officials were misinformed. She says her son had the gun and a loaded clip in his book bag, but claims the clip was never in the gun.

News 5 investigated her claims. Chickasaw police could not confirm whether the loaded clip was ever in fact in the gun. But Sgt. Gerald Thornton said it doesn't matter. As far as the law is concerned, a loaded clip is the same thing as a loaded gun.

Other viewers said the student would've automatically been charged with a felony, if the gun had been loaded. Not true says Thornton. Possession of a fire arm on school grounds is not an automatic felony. Thornton said the student would only be charged with a felony if he had a prior record.