NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) New Haven police say they declined to charge a father who brought a gun to his child's elementary school graduation because he made an honest mistake and had no criminal intentions.

Another parent alerted police when she saw the man had a gun holstered on his waist Monday morning at the graduation ceremony at the Lincoln Bassett School. Authorities say the man was cooperative and had a valid pistol permit.

The man told police he didn't want to leave the gun in his vehicle, so he kept it on him.

New Haven police say it's a crime to both bring a gun onto school grounds and to leave a weapon unattended in a vehicle. They say the man should have secured the weapon at home before going to the school.