I am 31, teach high school, and grew up in Arkansas. When I was growing up, it was a rite of passage (for both sexes) to receive his/her first personal weapon (usually a
4-10 shotgun) and be allowed to go hunting with the grown-ups. Until 12 years old, children went hunting with the adults on special teaching trips. The goal was not to bring in game but to learn how to hunt and how to handle oneself when armed. We had guns in eveyr household I visited. They were never secured or locked up. AND WE NEVER PLAYED WITH THEM. Why not? We were taught that we should not play with guns. They were not toys. We never aimed guns at people. It was dangerous. Sure, we had guns in the trunks of cars and behind the seats of the trucks at school. Why? People went hunting before and after school. Did we ever use them to shoot people at school? NO. Why not? Because that is stupid.
Yes, we played cowboys and Indians. With toy guns and water pistols. We knew the difference.
Why should people own guns now? Food. Defense. And because it is our second amendment right. If we do not exercise our rights, then just like an arm or leg that is not exercised, it will atrophy and become useless.
I teach in a high school. Am I afraid? Yes indeed. Not all of these kids believe in the sanctity of human life. What bothers me the most? That by law I am required to be completely and utterly defenseless while on school property. I have NO method of defending myself or my students in case of emergency. My military training with weapons will be useless. And we (my students and myself) will be dead.
People who will shoot up a school do not stop to consider that taking a gun on school property is illegal. 1-5 years in jail in some places. They are planning on murder. Life sentence. One small little law about taking weapons onto school grounds doesn't deter them.
For those who advocate registration- When the government decides to go collect all of the newly "illegal" firearms, the registration list will be a confiscation list. Those who were law abiding and registered will be defenseless. Those "criminals" who failed to register their weapons will still have protection. Historically, in countries where only the military had guns, only the military (and its military-supported government)and its supporters had rights, food, clothing, education, ......
Just something to think about.
[This message has been edited by tcsparky (edited April 21, 2001).]
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