Just days after the deadly shooting in Connecticut, an 11-year-old boy has taken a gun to school in Utah, saying it's protection against similar attacks.

The sixth-grader carried a handgun to West Kearns Elementary on Monday, claiming he wanted to defend himself.

But during break, he allegedly waved the gun at classmates.

The gun was unloaded, although a different type of ammunition was reportedly found in the boy's backpack.

He is now detained by police on assault and weapons charges.

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