Over 1,200 weapons confiscated from city schoolkids: NYPD

It’s shocking — five Tasers were among the more than 1,200 firearms, knives, boxcutters, razors and other dangerous objects confiscated from city students in the 2013-14 school year, NYPD officials told The Post.

The Taser stun guns, which deliver high-voltage shocks, can be purchased online for as little as $ 10.98.

Knives were the most common weapons confiscated from schoolchildren — including folding blades that look like credit cards. Last school year, the contraband also included nine firearms and 41 BB guns.

Students don’t arm themselves to commit crimes but to protect themselves in dangerous neighborhoods or in case of conflicts with other kids, according to NYPD Inspector Charles Mc-Evoy, executive officer of the School Safety Division.

“They just feel safe having a weapon in their possession,” McEvoy said.

Metal detectors picked up 712 weapons — about 58 percent of the total. Another 42 percent were recovered after tips from staff or students. Despite the stigma metal detectors can bring to a school, cops and some principals say they remain essential to school safety. The use of the scanners is under review by Mayor de Blasio.

“The things you find throughout the year, my God,” said one Bronx high-school principal who wished to remain anonymous. “If you’re pulling 10 to 20 objects a week, that’s 10 to 20 possible injuries prevented.” Airport-style metal detectors are used daily in 79 city high schools and junior highs. Another eight schools have metal detectors but use them on a random basis. And the NYPD does unannounced scanning with mobile units at other schools. Officials believe metal detectors act as a strong deterrent, although students still try to get things past them.

“Maybe they’re hoping it’s not going to get picked up,” McEvoy said. “They’re all right there in the backpacks.”

But school-safety agents at DeWitt Clinton HS in The Bronx told The Post that some of its 3,000 students — who also try to sneak in forbidden cellphones — get creative. Girls, for instance, hide things in their bras, thinking the underwire will provide a cover, the agents said. One boy scooped out a hiding space in the pages of a textbook. Students grumbled about the hassle of having to remove belts and jewelry and go through scanning each time they enter the building — even after gym class outside. But some of the students understand the need.

“I don’t like it, but if I ended up fighting someone and getting stabbed, I’d be pretty upset,” said DeWitt Clinton 10th-grader Jason Howard, 15. None of the recovered guns was found with metal detectors and none was fired, officials said. The youngest kid who packed heat last year was 10, but in January 2013, a 7-year-old second-grader brought a semiautomatic handgun to Wave Preparatory School in Far Rockaway, Queens.

Among recent incidents, a 14-year-old boy at JHS 258 in Brooklyn was caught in March with a .22-caliber handgun in his book bag. In May, a 12-year-old boy at PS/MS 29 in The Bronx showed his handgun to a pal, who told an adult. And a 14-year-old boy at PS 305 in Brooklyn whipped out a .25-caliber handgun in the restroom, where a teacher spotted him.

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