Tensions spike as Virginia mother threatens to bring gun to school over mask mandate

Tension in Virginia over the state’s school mask-mandate policies escalated this week when a mother claimed she would bring guns to school to ensure that her children did not have to wear a COVID-19 face coverings. 

Police charged Amelia King of Luray, with making an oral threat Monday on school property after she claimed she would "bring every single gun loaded and ready” to ensure her childrens’ school did not force them to wear a mask. 

“I will see you Monday,” she told the Page County public school board. 

County Superintendent Antonia Fox and county school board Chairperson Megan Gordon said in a statement that “comments such as these go against everything we wish to model for our students.” 

They also said: “Violence and threats are never acceptable or appropriate. This kind of behavior is not tolerated from our students, faculty, staff, nor will it be tolerated by parents or guests of our school division."

GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin as one of his first acts in office abolished the statewide school mask mandate, leading many local school districts to opt to implement their own.