LAFAYETTE PARISH, La. () — A Lafayette man is facing criminal charges after allegedly bringing a gun to a high school football game.

Lafayette Parish School System said they are dedicated to making sure guns aren't being smuggled inside. As LPSS school campuses have a no-firearm policy, it extends to high school football stadiums.

Tracey Wirtz, LPSS communications and public relations specialist, believes the arrest emphasizes how serious LPSS is about firearm-free zones.

"I think the message behind the arrest is that these are firearm-free zones, and Lafayette Parish schools takes it very seriously. Because it's not just about catching someone who's doing something wrong. It's also about making sure that the people going in can really enjoy the game in that atmosphere without having to be concerned about there being a firearm or anything dangerous like that around them in that particular space," she said.

Lafayette Parish School System installs weapon detection system on school campuses

That feeling of safety at games comes from many ways, including weapons detections systems.

LPSS finished installing the weapons detection systems at every school this spring, and they're now at the front gate of every high school football game.

"Unfortunately, we are at a time in history where things like weapons detection systems are just a necessity. I think it makes my heart sad, and it makes a lot of other folks' hearts sad as well, but it's the reality," Wirtz said.

"The bottom line is we want to keep our students and our teachers safe, and if that's what it takes to do it, then that's what we're going to do," she continued.

Thursday night's arrest shows those efforts are working, and high school football fans can relax, enjoying their Friday nights like they always have.

"I think it's nostalgia. I think it's support for their own children. I think it's a lot of things and it's just the energy that is at a high school football game," Wirtz said.

The 19-year-old suspect in Thursday evening's incident was charged with possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone.

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