Student charged after bringing starter pistol, marijuana to East Meadow High School, police say

An 18-year-old male student at East Meadow High School was arrested on Wednesday morning after he brought an unloaded starter pistol into the school, according to a Nassau County Police spokeswoman.

Police responded to the school shortly after 11:15 a.m., and the suspected weapon and student were removed from the building.

School officials detected the odor of marijuana in the student's backpack, police said, resulting in a subsequent search of the bag, when they found the pistol, and contacted authorities.

The student has been charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, and dealing with fireworks, police said.

The dealing with fireworks charge, the spokeswoman said, is in relation to the starter pistol.

A starter pistol, or starting pistol, is a handgun designed to signify the start of track and field races, or swimming meets. It is typically filled with blank shells.

The gun is not capable of firing actual bullets, said the police spokeswoman. "You can't put real bullets in a starter pistol and expect it to function," she said.

Superintendent Louis DeAngelo said in a statement, "At no time were any students or staff exposed to any danger related to this matter."