FAYETTEVILLE — A University of Arkansas student pleaded guilty in Washington County Circuit Court Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a gun in a publicly owned building.
Matthew Williamson, 37, a work-study receptionist, brought a gun to the studios of KUAF in Fayetteville Feb. 8. Williamson acidentally shot himself in the hand while taking the gun out of his backpack to show it to a friend. He was treated and released from Washington Regional Medical Center.
KUAF is a National Public Radio affiliate. The university owns the radio station property.
Williamson told Circuit Judge William Storey the accidental discharge was a "combination of laziness and stupidity." Williamson was planning to go to a shooting range later in the day and brought the gun with him rather than going home and putting it up.
Police said they found a Taurus Judge revolver with one spent .410 round and several live .410 and .45 rounds in Williamson's book bag.
Storey sentenced Williamson to one year probation, 100 hours of community service and fined him $1,000.
Williamson originally faced a felony charge of illegally possessing a gun on a college campus.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the amount of the fine. The error has been corrected.