B.C. teacher gets suspension for bringing vintage rifle to class

Christopher Jay Leveille, a Vancouver teacher, faced a three-week suspension after causing a school lockdown on December 21, 2023, by bringing a model vintage rifle to class. The B. C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, Donnaree Nygard, stated that Leveille's actions created a situation that could instill fear and panic among students and staff. The model rifle, with a wooden stock and metal barrel, led to a 911 call, prompting a police response and a lockdown at the school as well as two nearby schools.

Local transit services were also disrupted during this emergency. Leveille intended to use the model to demonstrate warfare strategies from the 1700s in a social studies lesson, but that lesson never materialized. Despite agreeing to the suspension, he had already retired from his teaching position by July 1, 2024, after 33 years in the profession. The incident highlights the need for clear communication regarding acceptable classroom materials, particularly in sensitive environments like schools. It also raises questions about how educators can safely incorporate historical artifacts into their teaching methods.