SAN ANTONIO -- Three seventh-graders at Kirby Middle School have been suspended from school after they were caught sharing a 9 mm pistol on campus.

Judson Independent School District spokesman Sean Hoffman said some concerned students alerted teachers about the weapon.

"We did a search of backpacks and lockers and lo and behold, we found a 9 mm handgun," Hoffman said.

A gun clip was also found, Hoffman said.

A boy brought the gun to school and he allegedly showed it to two other boys, who then tried to hide the weapon from teachers, Hoffman said.

The boy who allegedly took the weapon on campus was arrested and charged with gun possession.

"I was absolutely terrified," said Grace Woerner, a parent whose daughter attends Kirby Middle School. "I couldn't sleep last night."

Letters were sent home to parents, informing them about the incident.

Woerner said the incident highlights the need for metal detectors at the school.

"It probably changes the children's mentality a little bit," she said. "My daughter said she would feel much safer."

Hoffman, though, said the district couldn't pay for the cost and maintenance of a metal detector, which he said was very high.