St. Joseph County Police Student Resource Officers have investigated what was believed to be a handgun found on a Penn Harris Madison-Walt Disney Elementary school bus. Upon investigation officers determined the gun to be a realistic looking BB pellet gun. Sheriff Bill Redman is urging parents to use caution when it comes to realistic looking toy or pellet guns and to make sure the BB guns stay at home.

The statement below is from the St. Joseph County Police Department:

Earlier today (Thursday, Sep. 19) PHM schools requested that County Police SROs investigate what was believed to be a handgun found on a PHM elementary school bus. Upon investigation officers determined the gun to be a very realistic looking BB pellet gun. County Police defer to PHM and Walt Disney school officials for any further information.

Sheriff Bill Redman urges parents to use an abundance of caution when it comes to realistic looking toy or pellet guns, “in the wake of the numerous school threats made earlier this week the last thing that teachers, school administrators and police need is a student coming to school with a very real looking pistol.”

Sheriff continues, “I implore all parents in our community to take stock of any such realistic items in your home or your kids possession and ensure they stay at home. We also urge all gun owners to practice responsible gun ownership and lock up the firearms so they are not easily accessible to children.”