By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Carrie Rivers, an Indiana mother, faces charges of firearm possession on school property and harassment after threatening her daughter’s teacher. The threat stemmed from a classroom assignment about flags that included a reference to the rainbow flag, prompting Rivers to accuse the teacher of pushing a “personal agenda” regarding sexuality. Rivers brought a concealed handgun to the school, later sending threatening messages to the teacher, including a warning to “kiss your kids goodbye.” The school district has banned Rivers from campus, emphasizing its commitment to a safe learning environment.
Read the original article here
An Indiana mother, Carrie Rivers, brought a gun to her daughter’s elementary school and threatened a lesbian teacher, according to police. The incident unfolded after the teacher, who displays a photo of her wife and daughter on her desk, gave a class assignment on flags. While providing examples, she included the rainbow flag with the words “be kind” printed on it.
This seemingly innocuous inclusion triggered Rivers, who accused the teacher of pushing a “personal agenda” regarding sexuality onto her daughter. Despite the teacher allowing Rivers’ daughter to skip the assignment, Rivers’ anger escalated.
Rivers initially confronted the teacher at the school, her firearm visible at her waistband. A responding police officer noted the gun, advised Rivers of the illegality of possessing a firearm on school grounds, and an arrestable offense, yet remarkably, she was released without arrest. Rivers claimed she hadn’t realized she was carrying the gun, stating she was accustomed to carrying it and had done so on school property before.
However, a mere 25 minutes after being let go by police, Rivers sent a chilling threatening message to the teacher. The message included religious condemnation, accusations of being a “child predator,” and a disturbing warning to “say ur prayers and kiss ur kids goodbye.”
This escalation led to Rivers’ arrest. The incident highlights the severity of the threat and the apparent leniency shown initially by law enforcement. The fact that Rivers was allowed to leave the school after admitting to carrying a concealed weapon on school property raised serious concerns about both the initial police response and the pervasiveness of bringing guns to schools.
Rivers’ husband attempted to downplay the incident, claiming his wife meant no harm and carried a firearm for “security,” forgetting it that day. He also went further by claiming that other parents frequently bring guns to school to drop off their children, casually remarking that this behavior was commonplace. This alarming statement reveals a disturbing normalization of carrying firearms on school grounds within a particular community.
The school district issued a statement acknowledging the incident, stating that while no immediate threats were made against students or staff during the initial encounter, subsequent harassing and threatening messages led to Rivers’ arrest. The district emphasized its commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment and expressed gratitude for the swift action taken by school staff and police.
The incident underscores the volatile climate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and the concerning ease with which individuals can bring firearms into schools. The initial failure to arrest Rivers, followed by her subsequent threats, highlights a serious lapse in judgment and potentially a lack of appropriate response protocol in such situations. The claim by Rivers’ husband that carrying guns to school was common practice among parents is even more unsettling and points to a broader cultural issue of gun accessibility and acceptance within certain communities. The casual acceptance of this practice raises concerns about a normalization of actions which could endanger the safety and well-being of students and staff. The whole incident serves as a chilling illustration of the intersection between escalating social tensions, lax gun control, and the potential for violence within school settings. The implications for school safety, community trust, and the broader social climate surrounding LGBTQ+ acceptance are significant and warrant serious discussion and attention.