A few weeks ago, I passed an advertisement suggesting that people rethink purchasing firearms before an argument became a tragedy. It seemed to be implying that most people who owned firearms were angry and violent individuals willing to resort to shooting people they were upset with. So … I think I can understand why Larry Simoneaux said on Monday that the idea of firearms safety instruction in schools is a bit of a hot potato. (Column, “Here’s an argument waiting to get started.”)
For those of us who can avoid immediately demonizing each other’s views as unacceptably extreme, though, I agree that firearms safety lessons should be held in schools. I’d accept an “opt-out” form for parents who would prefer their children to not attend these lessons, but I honestly believe that raising children to respect firearms from an early age would do a lot to help the problem of children accidentally shooting themselves. Or others. Let the professionals decide when the lessons should begin.
Maybe some people will call this gun advocacy, and even detest me for agreeing with the idea… but if it saves the lives of children, then I think I can live with that. People’s lives shouldn’t be a political tool; if there’s any reasonable step we can take to reduce firearm-related accidents, I believe that as a society we are obligated to take that step and look back only to see if we can do even better.
So? What do the rest of you think? Let’s talk about this.
James Eder
Everett
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