FLORISSANT, Mo. (KMOX) – A 13-year-old not only brought a gun to school Thursday, but he turned himself in.

Florissant Police Officer Andy Haarmann says the student from Cross Keys Middle School carried the .38 caliber pistol around for several hours before he approached a teacher.

“He told the teacher that he didn’t think he should have this with him,” Haarmann said.

After the teen voluntarily gave up the gun, a .30 caliber bullet was discovered in his backpack.

Officer Haarmann told KMOX News that the student said he brought the gun to school for protection, but could not say if there was a specific threatened against him.

The student was arrested and later charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

A letter was sent home explaining what happened.