Police recently arrested a freshman for allegedly pointing a gun at another student’s head in a Bridgman dorm room last week.

Nicholas L. Buck, 20, of fourth floor east Bridgman Hall, was charged Thursday in Eau Claire County Court with first degree recklessly endangering safety.

Buck, a native of Burnsville, Minn., also was suspended from school and could be expelled for violating the university’s firearms policy.

Longstanding UW policy is that students are not to have guns on campus, said Bob Shaw, associate dean of students.

According to the court records, Buck and another student were “trash talking” while playing video games in a Bridgman dorm room.

The other student made a comment about Buck’s mother, prompting Buck to get a black, semi-automatic handgun from the drawer. Buck then pointed it at the other student’s head, said he once pointed it at his stepfather and that he was not afraid of going to prison.

Upon a search of Buck’s vehicle, police found a box of ammunition and a fully-loaded .40-caliber handgun.

Buck admitted to police that he pointed the loaded gun at the other student’s head, according to the report.

If convicted, Buck could face a fine of $10,000, 10 years in prison or both.

He is free on $1,000 bond.

A hearing to determine expulsion will be held within 21 days and Shaw said expulsion will be recommended.

Buck is barred from all university property and buildings as a result of the suspension. Shaw said an incident like this has never happened in his 33 years at the university.

University Police offers storage for students, such as hunters, who own guns.