DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. – A Muncie father turned his teenage son in to police Sunday after he found him with a gun.
Father Michael Haupt found a 25-caliber handgun inside his 15-year-old son’s jacket pocket, and he decided to teach him a lesson.
"I have to have him locked up to prove to him that won't be tolerated in my home,” said Haupt.
The dad found out his son paid $130 for the gun and purchased it from other teens via text message. Haupt said the gun had no bullets in the chamber, but the clip was full.
He took his information to Muncie police, but said initially, no one seemed interested.
"I think his concern is he wants to make sure there's follow up from this - that his son bought it from another juvenile and they are being offered and sold on the phone,” said Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle. “His concern is, are we doing our part, he did his part. I certainly understand that and we are definitely going to follow up on it."
Haupt’s 13-year-old son said seeing his older brother arrested was the best choice.
“That is one less gun off the street and it's going to shoot. So, you got to be careful,” said Blake Haupt.
The father said safety is important to his family.
“My daughter could have got the gun and killed herself,” said Haupt. “Luckily, I found it and just as a parent to other parents out there, I am hoping and praying that I can help to safe not just my kids life, but one of your kids."
The 15-year-old was placed in juvenile detention and is scheduled for a hearing this week.
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