No measure or type of violence in which a gun is used seems to break America's resolve to keep even the most violent and criminal subjects from exercising the 'right' to own guns.
But one has to wonder why parents think that children must be imbued with the sense that it is their prerogative to own a gun, much less use one, and make no efforts to secure the arms from children that are either mentally ill or woefully immature.
The case that has capture some interest, although not nearly enough, was the accidental shooting of a 2 year at the hand of her 5 year old brother, who was given a present of a firearm designed for children in the state of Kentucky.
What is appalling here is the concept that the firearm not only is to be a coveted possession at any age, which must reinforce in children the notion that the weapon is the only and ultimate device with which to protect oneself and deal with all eventualities, but minimizes the dangers and the violence that are inherent to weapons.
The state of Kentucky in fact, does not even have laws that prohibit the unsafe keeping of firearms in an household where children are living. In this case, the miniature, although lethally efficient weapon, was kept leaning against a wall much the same way that a bicycle or a baseball mitten might be. Not a thought about it. And why? because there is a culture that says it is okay to lose children, and adults, to accidental firearms, so long as our 'freedoms' are maintained.
So the parents of the child that killed his sister will never face any responsibility in the case, giving the signal that the loss of a small child is a trifle compared to the 'right' to own a gun - at any age - and that that small life that was taken has no claim or right to be vindicated in some way.
But Kentucky is in now way different than many other states in the Union, where such laws are also lacking or missing altogether. And as we speak, many states are conjuring up legislation that would allow even more gun ownership and less federal supervision.
Is this what defines America? Do we really want to become a fully armed people? And why does no one envision a future in which people will make use of those guns more and more, even to settle arguments? For this is our destiny. There is no sense in invoking the "guns don't kill people, people kill people." The statement then, might as well read, "guns don't kill children, children kill children"
Does anyone see something wrong with this? Or are we all running scared of the gun lobbyists, manufacturers, and any other interest that wants to sell us guns? Are we buying guns because everyone has them so we must get them in case they come after us with a gun?
Whatever the answer, it is not, and will not, be a good one.
Op-Ed
Partial source : Slate 5.8.13
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