Ned Carter Walker, Middle School Teacher, Allegedly Brings Loaded Gun, Knife To Class (VIDEO)

A San Diego middle school teacher faces up to five years and eight months in prison if he's convicted of bringing a loaded gun and knife into his classroom.

Ned Carter Walker, 41, a seventh- and eighth-grade English instructor at Farb Middle School, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to felony weapons charges after allegedly bringing a .380-caliber pistol and knife with a 2.5-inch blade to school, KSWB-TV reported.

He was arrested in the school parking lot on Feb. 11 and currently remains free on $50,000 bail, according to XETV-TV. He is currently on administrative leave from his job and is forbidden from going to the school while the case is pending.

Rueben Littlejohn, the San Diego Unified School District’s police chief, said Walker's potential weapons violation came to light after some staff members heard he was keeping ammunition in his classroom, UTSanDiego.com reported.

No ammo was found in the classroom, but officers questioned Walker and, after noticing a bulge in his pocket, patted him down. The search turned up a pistol, a seven-round magazine, and a knife.

Some of Walker's students told KGTV-TV that he believed teachers should be able to take weapons to school to ensure the safety of themselves and their students.

San Diego Unified School District police Chief Rueben Littlejohn told the station that Walker's motives may have been well-intentioned, but they were still illegal and contrary to district regulations.

If convicted of either charge, he could be dismissed, according to district officials.