Florida pushing to pass 'Pop-Tart' law

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There has been an outcry over zero-tolerance policies in schools after cases like the Maryland student who was punished for shaping a Pop-Tart in the form of a gun and pointing it at classmates.

To think a student might get in trouble for shaping their hands in the form of a gun, or even make a Pop Tart look like a gun and brandish it at school may seem ludicrous to some, and that's why a Florida lawmaker wants to change the law.

It's called the "Pop-Tart law," and it's actively being debated in the Florida house. The law would also allow pro-gun and pro-2nd Amendment shirts in schools. 

"With this policy, there's also a layer of common sense that would clearly indicate you need to use discretion and not move toward police-like activity, when it was clearly horseplay," said Rep. Dennis Baxley, a supporter of the legislation. 

The push is a reaction to school district's zero-tolerance policy for keeping firearms out of school. The legislation says it would ban school districts from "brandishing a partially consumed pastry or other food item" which seemed ridiculous to some, but others aren't sure lightening up on guns is a good idea. 

The law would also allow teachers to punish students who disrupt learning or pose a legitimate threat. Channel 4 crime analyst Ken Jefferson doesn't think the bill is a good idea and said the law would just keep school administrators from doing their jobs.

"It's an overreaction simply with the teachers and administrators watching behaviors," said Jefferson. "I don't think they need to change the law."

The bill has passed a House Education Subcommittee and has a few more hurdles before becoming a law.


About the Authors:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.