My guess is the parents encouraged him to take it so that he can protect himself [given the recent in-school violence]; hence the zip tie to make it difficult for others to steal and use, and the flare gun just in case he flees into New York's Central Park, GENIUS! lol, as has been noted, dumb parents are dumb
Just a shot in the dark, but I'm gonna guess the school administrators were not blown away by the idea of this student bringing a gun to school.
Happened a few weeks ago as a matter of fact. This one was close to home but didn't make national headlines. Gun found at Magnolia ISD elementary school http://www.khou.com/news/local/Gun-found-at-Magnolia-ISD-elementary-school--186257282.html