A world of difference between 'missing gun' and 'gun missing'

I recall reading a newspaper article in one of its columns about a boy wanting to kill his teachers but being stopped in time.

In this case, the parents found his note early and noticed the missing gun. They then alerted the police, who surrounded the school and thus saved the day. This is the article's second paragraph.

".....noticed the missing gun" appears to have a connotation and leads readers to believe that a gun was missing but later found; but after reading the whole story, readers will understand and come to the conclusion that in this case, the parents found his note early and noticed the gun missing.