As the NRA reports, Massachusetts fourth-grader Bradley Geslak was suspended from Toy Town Elementary School for bringing a Memorial Day souvenir to school.

In short, a 10 year old boy was given a harmless piece of brass by a veteran of the US military, during an official Memorial Day celebration. He brought this completely inert, non-dangerous piece of brass to school, and has now been suspended due to a “zero tolerance” policy. Bradley’s cherished souvenir was also taken and will not be returned to him. This is simply wrong on the part of the school.


An empty shell casing has no explosive, no gun powder, no primer, no bullet, and no other dangerous aspects. A pencil is more dangerous. A pen is more dangerous. Indeed, a fingernail is more dangerous. But, due to this “zero tolerance” policy, Bradley Geslak now has a suspension on his record, and his mother was forced to miss work to stay at home with him during the suspension.


If you’d like to express your concern over this unconscionable punishment of a child who has done nothing wrong, the contact information for the school superintendent can be seen below:

Brooke Clenchy, Superintendent of Schools
175 Grove Street
Winchendon, Massachusetts 01475
Phone: 978.297.0031

bclenchy@winchendonk12.org