No Federal Charges in Accidental Commencement Shooting

No federal charges will be filed against a concealed weapon permit-holder who wounded himself and a bystander when the gun he stuffed into his sock accidentally discharged at a southern Kansas high school graduation ceremony.

The Wichita Eagle reports that there’s an exception to the federal gun-free school zones law that allows holders of state-issued concealed-carry permits to carry their weapons in school zones. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman John Ham says that means the man cannot be prosecuted under the law for bringing the gun to the Augusta High School commencement on Sunday.

The man was shot in the foot when he adjusted his sock. A woman was struck in the calf.

State charges remain possible. Police haven’t yet provided the case to county prosecutors.