

# Virginia Mother Sentenced for Marijuana Use While Owning a Firearm After Son Shoots Teacher

In a case that has sparked national debate on gun control and drug laws, Deja Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Virginia, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm, which is illegal under U.S. law (1,2,3,4,5,6).

Taylor's son took her handgun to school and shot Abby Zwerner in her first-grade classroom in January, seriously wounding the educator (1,2,3,4,5,6). Investigators found nearly an ounce of marijuana in Taylor's bedroom and evidence of frequent drug use in her text messages and paraphernalia (1,2,3,4,5,6).

> "This case is not a marijuana case. It is a case that underscores the inherently dangerous nature and circumstances that arise from the caustic cocktail of mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm," federal prosecutors in Virginia argued (5).

Taylor still faces a separate sentencing in December on the state level for felony child neglect (1,2,3,4,5,6). Meanwhile, Zwerner is suing the school system for $40 million, alleging that administrators ignored multiple warnings about the boy having a gun (1,2,3,4,5,6).

> "Our focus remains on justice for Abby and holding the school system accountable," said Attorney Diane Toscano (6).

Taylor's attorneys requested probation and home confinement, citing her history of domestic abuse, miscarriages, postpartum depression, and the need for treatment for marijuana addiction (5,6).

> "Addiction is a disease and incarceration is not the cure," argued Taylor's attorneys (5).

Taylor's attorneys also argued that the U.S. Supreme Court could eventually strike down the federal ban on drug users owning guns (4,5). This argument highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the federal ban on drug users owning guns, with some U.S. courts having ruled against the law (4).

Taylor's son obtained the gun from his mother's purse, which was normally stored in a lock box or with a trigger lock, but investigators couldn't find evidence of these safety measures (1,2,3,4,5,6). Taylor had previously fired her gun in public, shooting at her son's father in December (1,2,3,4,5,6).

After the shooting incident, Taylor smoked two blunts and failed drug tests while awaiting sentencing (1,2,3,4,5,6). This case has sparked a national conversation about gun violence, drug laws, and the responsibilities of parents and schools in ensuring the safety of children.

The sentencing of Deja Taylor and the ongoing lawsuit against the school system could potentially set precedents for future cases involving gun control, drug laws, and school safety. The case highlights the complexities of these issues and the need for comprehensive solutions.

<h1>Virginia Mother Sentenced for Marijuana Use While Owning a Firearm After Son Shoots Teacher</h1>
In a case that has sparked national debate on gun control and drug laws, Deja Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Virginia, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm, which is illegal under U.S. law (1,2,3,4,5,6).
Taylor's son took her handgun to school and shot Abby Zwerner in her first-grade classroom in January, seriously wounding the educator (1,2,3,4,5,6). Investigators found nearly an ounce of marijuana in Taylor's bedroom and evidence of frequent drug use in her text messages and paraphernalia (1,2,3,4,5,6).
<blockquote>
"This case is not a marijuana case. It is a case that underscores the inherently dangerous nature and circumstances that arise from the caustic cocktail of mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm," federal prosecutors in Virginia argued (5).
</blockquote>
Taylor still faces a separate sentencing in December on the state level for felony child neglect (1,2,3,4,5,6). Meanwhile, Zwerner is suing the school system for $40 million, alleging that administrators ignored multiple warnings about the boy having a gun (1,2,3,4,5,6).
<blockquote>
"Our focus remains on justice for Abby and holding the school system accountable," said Attorney Diane Toscano (6).
</blockquote>
Taylor's attorneys requested probation and home confinement, citing her history of domestic abuse, miscarriages, postpartum depression, and the need for treatment for marijuana addiction (5,6).
<blockquote>
"Addiction is a disease and incarceration is not the cure," argued Taylor's attorneys (5).
</blockquote>
Taylor's attorneys also argued that the U.S. Supreme Court could eventually strike down the federal ban on drug users owning guns (4,5). This argument highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the federal ban on drug users owning guns, with some U.S. courts having ruled against the law (4).
Taylor's son obtained the gun from his mother's purse, which was normally stored in a lock box or with a trigger lock, but investigators couldn't find evidence of these safety measures (1,2,3,4,5,6). Taylor had previously fired her gun in public, shooting at her son's father in December (1,2,3,4,5,6).
After the shooting incident, Taylor smoked two blunts and failed drug tests while awaiting sentencing (1,2,3,4,5,6). This case has sparked a national conversation about gun violence, drug laws, and the responsibilities of parents and schools in ensuring the safety of children.
The sentencing of Deja Taylor and the ongoing lawsuit against the school system could potentially set precedents for future cases involving gun control, drug laws, and school safety. The case highlights the complexities of these issues and the need for comprehensive solutions.

Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher is sentenced to 21 months in prison for federal offenses

CBS News

Mother of Virginia child who shot teacher sentenced to 21 months for using marijuana while owning gun

Reuters

Mother of 6-year-old who shot Virginia teacher gets 21 months in prison

4029 News

Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot teacher faces sentencing for marijuana use while owning a gun

New York Post

Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot Virginia teacher gets 21 months for using marijuana while owning a gun

Fox News

Mom of Virginia boy who shot teacher gets 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning gun

Deja Taylor

Gun Control

Drug Laws

Virginia

School Shooting

Abby Zwerner

Marijuana Legalization

Deja Taylor, mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher, sentenced to 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm. The case has sparked national debate on gun control and drug laws.

Virginia Mother Sentenced for Marijuana Use While Owning a Firearm After Son Shoots Teacher

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