Metal detectors will be brought in for surprise weapons checks beginning next week in the nation's second-largest school district in response to a deadly classroom shooting.

Los Angeles school superintendent Sid Thompson said Monday that hand-held detectors would be used to screen students at random at up to five schools a day. He said if the searches succeed, he will ask to buy up to 50 detectors, at about $200 each.On Thursday, a teenager's gun accidentally went off, killing one student and wounding another. The 15-year-old was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Friends said he carried the gun to protect himself from gangs.

Several Los Angeles schools use wand-type metal detectors at special events only, such as football games. Walk-through detectors are considered impractical because schools have too many entrances.

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