14-year-old faces jail time for wearing an NRA shirt

[Smooth]

Jared Marcum, the 14-year-old who was arrested and suspended from school after refusing to take off a National Rifle Association shirt, is facing up to a year in jail.
In April, Marcum caused a furor at his West Virginia middle school when he showed up in a T-shirt sporting the NRA logo, a picture of a gun and the slogan "Protect your right." Despite being asked several times by school officials to remove the garment, Marcum kept it on, reportedly saying he was not violating the school?s dress code and was exercising his First Amendment rights.
Last week, Marcum appeared in court and was officially handed the charge of obstructing an officer, reports CBS affiliate WOWK-TV. According to the Logan County Police Department, Marcum would not stop talking during the incident at the school, which prevented the attending officer from doing his job. However, Marcum's attorney, Ben White, told WOWK that the officer's arrest report did not mention the boy's allegedly excessive talking.
Nevertheless, Marcum faces a $500 fine and up to a year in jail.
The nature of the charge makes the incident less about the NRA shirt, and more about Marcum's behavior. In April, White defended the Marcum?s actions to the Associated Press, saying, "We at this point believe that Jared acted as mature as a 14-year-old child can act with the pressure that was put on him."
Although the school?s dress code makes no mention of NRA paraphernalia, it currently states the following: ?If in the judgment of the administration, a student is dressed inappropriately, the student will be required to change clothes or cover up inappropriate clothing before returning to classes.?
Following Marcum?s arrest, students across Logan county wore similar NRA shirts to show their support for Marcum, reports the AP.

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I had to look twice to be sure this was going on in America. What the hell has happened to my country?!??!
What do you think? Should this child have been suspended for refusing to take off this shirt?
Does he deserve time in jail for his choice of clothing?
What would you do if you were told you had to remove an article of clothing someone thought to be offensive?
Does the school have the right to dictate what you can and cannot wear?
Share your thoughts on this, please.

 

[Tommy]

And Americans still think they live in a free nation...

I completely disagree with this and think it's completely unfair. USA is going way downhill.

 

[Smooth]

And Americans still think they live in a free nation...

NO KIDDING!!!! It is absolutely horrifying to me to watch how my country has changed drastically, in just my lifetime. Our freedoms are being slowly chipped away and the assholes who run this country should be charged with treason. Especially Ovomit and his classless pig of a wife.

I completely disagree with this and think it's completely unfair. USA is going way downhill.

And very quickly, too. Freedom of expression and freedom of speech are ancient memories anymore. Our Constitution is used as asswipe by every politician in office. Traitorous ****s.

 

[Rebecca Chambers]

The school has every right to tell you what you can and cannot wear. In my country of England, we have school uniforms, for multiple reasons. It prevents bullying based on clothing style, and it shows a united front regarding the school. When you're not on school property, it shows you belong to this school, and your actions are visible as a member of that school.

A lot of people use the First Amendment as an excuse to do whatever they want. What they don't realise is that their First Amendment rights are not being hindered; you can still do what you want, say what you want, etc. But you must face the consequences of these actions.

The school's dress code states it is up to the administrative staff. Not the parents, not the students, the administrative staff. If they deem it inappropriate, then you must follow the rules. Simple.

 

[Smooth]

The school has every right to tell you what you can and cannot wear. In my country of England, we have school uniforms, for multiple reasons. It prevents bullying based on clothing style, and it shows a united front regarding the school. When you're not on school property, it shows you belong to this school, and your actions are visible as a member of that school.

A lot of people use the First Amendment as an excuse to do whatever they want. What they don't realise is that their First Amendment rights are not being hindered; you can still do what you want, say what you want, etc. But you must face the consequences of these actions.

The school's dress code states it is up to the administrative staff. Not the parents, not the students, the administrative staff. If they deem it inappropriate, then you must follow the rules. Simple.

Do you think that this would have been an issue with any other type of shirt? It's not as if the child was wearing something revealing or showing too much skin. He was wearing a shirt that showed his support of our 2nd Amendment rights.
And when you get into the grey area of "anything the administrators deem unfit or unacceptable" that is a VERY slippery slope bordering on a communist mindset. Allowing other people to make choices that should be left to the individual is a recipe for slavery.
Had this been my child I would have raised holy hell. I don't need school administrators dictating what I allow my children to wear.

 

[Rebecca Chambers]

Do you think that this would have been an issue with any other type of shirt? It's not as if the child was wearing something revealing or showing too much skin. He was wearing a shirt that showed his support of our 2nd Amendment rights.
And when you get into the grey area of "anything the administrators deem unfit or unacceptable" that is a VERY slippery slope bordering on a communist mindset. Allowing other people to make choices that should be left to the individual is a recipe for slavery.
Had this been my child I would have raised holy hell. I don't need school administrators dictating what I allow my children to wear.

The issue lies mainly with the place he was wearing it. With school shootings being so common in the US, and with absolutely nothing being done about them. A quote by John Oliver comes to mind. "One failed attempt at a shoe bomb and we all take our shoes off at the airport. Thirty-one school shootings since Columbine and no change in our regulation of guns." The shirt the child was wearing was obviously supporting gun ownership, which could easily be construed as supporting the various shootings. Even if that was not the intent of the shirt, he surely must have known that would be a possible factor.

 

[Tommy]

[MENTION=1290]Smooth[/MENTION] I can see that even from over here in Europe. I understand if they want to stop freedom of speech in terms of being homophobic or racist but wearing a NRA t-shirt?

[MENTION=1041]Rebecca Chambers[/MENTION] Yes but it's very different here in the UK. Even most public schools have school uniform and I'm so against it. It limits our expression and moving to sixth form just made me feel so much more like myself. If bullying is something schools want to stop then they need that to be their aim, not teaching people to fit in to stop themselves being hurt, what message is that?

 

[Rebecca Chambers]

[MENTION=1290]Smooth[/MENTION] I can see that even from over here in Europe. I understand if they want to stop freedom of speech in terms of being homophobic or racist but wearing a NRA t-shirt?

[MENTION=1041]Rebecca Chambers[/MENTION] Yes but it's very different here in the UK. Even most public schools have school uniform and I'm so against it. It limits our expression and moving to sixth form just made me feel so much more like myself. If bullying is something schools want to stop then they need that to be their aim, not teaching people to fit in to stop themselves being hurt, what message is that?

It's not just about stopping bullying. It's certainly a part of it though. Children pick on others for **** near anything. My own school ended up with huge amounts of bullying taking place whenever they held no school uniform days. It literally quadrupled or more, if I remember correctly. Simply because not everyone could afford the latest Nike trainers or that super-awesome Tommy Hilfiger jacket. It led to chaos.

However, another reason school uniforms are a good thing is that they, at a young age, teach you to look presentable and adhere to a uniform which many forms of career will require of you. Sixth form is a little different because by then you are a young adult, not a know-it-all teen with your head lodged firmly up your backside.

Then you have to take into account when not wearing a uniform, other people. If free speech and freedom of expression is such a big thing, where does that so-called right end, and the rights of other people begin? I have a sleeveless band shirt which is covered in lyrics by one of my favourite bands. The lyrics in question are GET THE **** AWAY FROM ME. I wore it to work once, and was told I couldn't wear it again because it was offensive. Did it irk me? Yes. Did I do as I was asked? Yes. Realistically, the wants of the many overrule the wants of the few. It doesn't hurt anyone if you tell a kid not to wear a certain shirt. But what if, for example, he was in a class with somebody who survived a previous school shooting? If I walked into a Mosque wearing a jacket that said "Muslims must die" am I at fault for wearing an antagonistic piece of clothing, or are they at fault for being too sensitive?

I believe the boy in this news story knew exactly what would happen by wearing this shirt. I believe he was being antagonistic on purpose. I have no qualms with him being punished for it.

 

[Night]

He should be allowed to wear the **** shirt. Freedom of speech. If the shirt wants to institute a uniform, ****ing institute a uniform (there's absolutely nothing wrong with school uniforms), but I don't think an NRA shirt should be called to be taken off if there's no uniform.

 

[Tommy]

It's not just about stopping bullying. It's certainly a part of it though. Children pick on others for **** near anything. My own school ended up with huge amounts of bullying taking place whenever they held no school uniform days. It literally quadrupled or more, if I remember correctly. Simply because not everyone could afford the latest Nike trainers or that super-awesome Tommy Hilfiger jacket. It led to chaos.

However, another reason school uniforms are a good thing is that they, at a young age, teach you to look presentable and adhere to a uniform which many forms of career will require of you. Sixth form is a little different because by then you are a young adult, not a know-it-all teen with your head lodged firmly up your backside.

[MENTION=1041]Rebecca Chambers[/MENTION] And this is what we need to focus on. Children shouldn't be judging each other by their value or clothes or choices in fashion, and giving them uniforms just to hide it all is a bad way of going around it... The second reason I understand... But I think teaching them to be presentable can by done by having uniform days or formal days or something. There's no need to have to wear it all the time. Anyway, this is turning into a uniform debate haha. But I do agree that when being asked not to wear something IN school it's not the same. I guess if it was on the street it'd be bad but I understand why he was being punished.


[MENTION=109]Night[/MENTION] Some schools don't allow things to do with politics, religion, gang-related stuff etc. so I can understand where they're coming from. Don't get me wrong though, if I owned a school I'd let all my students wear NRA T-shirts haha.

 

[Night]

Student dress and grooming should be in good taste and appropriate for the occasion.
Sunglasses are not to be worn in the classroom unless a medical permit is on file.
No hats or bandannas are to be worn in the building during the class day. If students must wear a hat to school, the hat must be placed in the locker and left there until the school day is over. Vocational students may take their hat at the time of their departure.
Appropriate clothing should be worn at all times. The main torso of the body should not be visible. Therefore, the wearing of mesh shirts would be inappropriate without and appropriate shirt under the mesh shirt. The wearing of garments considered as tank tops or tops with spaghetti straps is inappropriate.
Any article of clothing or accessories, such as jewelry with spikes, dog collars, wallet chains, chains worn as belts, that may cause injury to another student may not be worn at school or school functions.
Clothing and accessories that display profanity, violence, discriminatory messages or sexually suggestive phrases are not to be worn at school or school functions.
Clothing that displays advertisements for any alcohol, tobacco, or drug product is not to be worn at school or school functions.
Waistband of shorts, slacks, skirts, and similar garments must be worn above the hips. If belts, suspenders, or straps are worn, they must be worn in place and fastened. Undergarments shall not be visible. Any article of clothing that is excessively torn may not be worn.
Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes with laces should be laced and tied at all times.
Business-style blazers, suitcoats, and ties are permitted but outdoor jackets and coats are not to be worn or carried to class.
The legs of trousers and pants shall be worn down at all times.
Hem lengths on dresses, skirts, and shorts must be no higher than mid thigh

Are we implying that a shirt supporting gun rights automatically promotes violence, though? That's the message that I'm getting from this school. I see nothing about not allowing religious, political, etc. expression on clothes.

 

[Rebecca Chambers]

Are we implying that a shirt supporting gun rights automatically promotes violence, though? That's the message that I'm getting from this school. I see nothing about not allowing religious, political, etc. expression on clothes.

With the spate of school shootings, it could definitely be construed as such.

 

[Tommy]

[MENTION=109]Night[/MENTION] I'm saying it's supports a political stance, one which many schools are against showing, such as the one the student attended.

 

[Night]

[MENTION=149]Tommy[/MENTION] Yes, but I don't see anything against political stances on clothing in the dress code, which is why I don't think they should've made him ditch the shirt... unless they've altered their dress code from what I quoted (what was on their school website) to include disallowing political messages, and haven't updated their website yet.

They had no stated rule in their dress code against it, so he shouldn't have gotten trouble for it.

 

[Tommy]

[MENTION=109]Night[/MENTION] Oh. In that case, I agree that the student should not have gotten in trouble just because the teacher was anti-guns.

 

[Rebecca Chambers]

I feel like I should point out that guns are weapons, and weapons are tools of violence. That would be a valid reason, under the school's dress code, to have it removed.

 

[Night]

I feel like I should point out that guns are weapons, and weapons are tools of violence. That would be a valid reason, under the school's dress code, to have it removed.

And I feel like I should point out that plenty of us love our guns for completely non-violent purposes. I still don't see how it violated the dress code, and I still think it's pretty disgusting how far freedom of speech and expression are disregarded nowadays.

 

[Smooth]

I feel like I should point out that guns are weapons, and weapons are tools of violence. That would be a valid reason, under the school's dress code, to have it removed.

When people say things like "guns are tools of violence" it makes me cringe. Guns are tools used to hunt game animals and to protect people. They cannot act on their own; it takes a person to use them. Comments like that imply belief that a gun is an autonomous sentient being, able to act of its own free will. It ALWAYS takes a person to operate a gun.
That being said, the reason this story pisses me off is that it is a sign of the direction my country is heading. When a person's CLOTHING is cause for action like suspending kids from school it shows how the government is WAY too involved in our personal lives and is in fact trying to dictate much more than it should be allowed. Things like this are the beginning of the government trying to dictate and regulate our very thoughts. These are not the kinds of things the founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the Constitution. Quite the opposite, actually.
People not being outraged by things like this is yet another sign of how complacent we are becoming.

 

[Phossix]

Gun Control matters aside, yes, it does impose on this boy's Freedom of Speech.
I can understand why he was asked to remove the shirt, however. Not everyone shares the same views on Gun Control - it's pretty clear that both Smooth and Rebecca have clashing views on the subject, and that's just online. Imagine the situation in a high school.

School Shootings and other crimes involving guns have left people concerned and worried. Not everyone would approve of a boy wandering around supporting the very weapons used in atrocities in other schools.

I do think, however, the suspension and arrest is ridiculous.

 

[Smooth]

Gun Control matters aside, yes, it does impose on this boy's Freedom of Speech.
I can understand why he was asked to remove the shirt, however. Not everyone shares the same views on Gun Control - it's pretty clear that both Smooth and Rebecca have clashing views on the subject, and that's just online. Imagine the situation in a high school.

School Shootings and other crimes involving guns have left people concerned and worried. Not everyone would approve of a boy wandering around supporting the very weapons used in atrocities in other schools.

I do think, however, the suspension and arrest is ridiculous.

Except it's because of gun control issues that this action was taken against this child. And it's just the tip of the iceberg! Gun control is NOT about guns, it's about control. And in this case it is about trying to control a person's beliefs. How much more do we allow the government that works for US stick their noses into? We HAVE to draw the line somewhere.