Let me first say that I do not support have children “carrying” in our schools. However, there is much that can and should be done that is not being done to deal with this highly charged issue.
If I were in charge (which I am not) and had the time to devote to it (which I don’t), I would use my invaluable experience of growing up as a child on the homestead in the wilds of Alaska to make changes. My sister, brother and I were sport shooting at the ages of 9, 10, and 11. We were taught gun safety, cleaning, and even did some home loads. Our parents required this, as wild animals (some dangerous) were a daily experience. Competing with bears for the wonderful wild berries was no joking matter.
Common sense must prevail in this ugly debate. Of course, we have the Constitutional argument. But I want to speak to just the common sense considerations.
First and foremost, we must always consider the safety of the children. Letting them become target practice for some crazy is not acceptable. For the very young (K-3) there is available a wonderful program called Eddie Eagle. He is a video cartoon guy that teaches three rules if a child sees a gun: don’t touch, leave the area, and tell an adult.
Eddie Eagle, though, is politically incorrect. You see the National Rifle Association invented him. Forget that it teaches a wonderful safety lesson. Forget that it would probably help save children’s lives. Forget that it is totally politically neutral. It is perceived as bad because the NRA is out of sync with the politically correct.
We must get over our paranoid fear of the NRA and put this life-saving video in all of our schools. Speaking of paranoid fear, we must get over our fear of guns. Guns are no more to be feared that ladders, cars, hammers, pick axes, and chain saws. Each can be very dangerous if improperly used. In fact, you’ve heard it said and it is true, “Guns don’t kill; people do.”
Having said the above, I truly hope that some folks will calm down and think seriously of the next steps to be considered. We need instruction in safe handling of guns that is age appropriate. Sport shooting should be allowed and even encouraged at high school level. Sport shooting is an honorable sport and should be treated as such. As with all sports it is not for everyone, but those interested should be free to choose it.
The final need to deal with is the crazy person behind the gun. A good beginning, in my humble opinion, should be multiple efforts directed toward the strengthening of the family unit. A man and a woman should wait until marriage to start a family. Having children is a career, not a second job. Teaching children to be good responsible people is a lifetime job. A stable family reduces the incidence of depression, and other common mental ailments so prevalent in our society.
Let common sense and the healing begin.
Kay O’Connor
Former State Senator, district 9
