Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

A New Jersey teacher leapt into action when a six-year-old tot brandished a loaded handgun at school and showed it off to his classmates.

The incident took place at the North Star Academy West Side Park Elementary School in the city of Newark in the US state of New Jersey on Monday.

Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said the authorities received a report of a six-year-old child in possession of the loaded gun at around 10am.

The police said the boy was brandishing the loaded weapon in front of classmates like it was a “show and tell”.

Luckily, a stunned teacher saw the incident and took the gun away before someone was hurt.

School administrators contacted the boy’s guardians and informed other parents that a gun had been brought to class by email, according to reports.

As a result, many shocked parents rushed to the elementary school to remove their children from class.

Talking to local media, parents said they were not upset with the young boy and were more worried about his parents, adding that they were relieved the teacher stepped in when they did.

Parent Kayron Townes told local media that the boy’s parents were “100 percent irresponsible”.

Another parent said: “I am horrified, basically trying to hold back tears.”

O’Hara stated: “Today, we had an incident where a child did have a loaded firearm in a school. Thankfully, a responsible person reported it, police were able to respond and the weapon was recovered.”

The Newark Public Safety Director also advised parents: “Firearm should be secured, unloaded and the ammunition should be separate from the firearm.”

It remains unclear where the loaded gun came from. The investigation is ongoing.