Two students were shot and injured this morning at Gardena High School when a "gun in a 10th grader's backpack accidentally discharged when he dropped the bag." (Thomas Watkins, Associated Press.) I could go on and on about the way a firearm functions, but that would just take too much energy - but suffice it to say I have a hard time accepting it accidentally went off. Not having been there, I can't assume anything, but in my experience with handguns, and I've shot thousands of rounds, not one has ever just gone off, nor have the numerous other shooters I have worked with ever had that happen.
This makes me sad on so many levels. I didn't grow up rich, but I sure didn't have to go through what these kids are going through these days, feeling like they need to bring a gun to school. There was no fear of getting shot by other students, either. The two kids who were hurt are so young, they shouldn't have to feel mortal at this time in their lives. Sad, sad, sad. Who knows what the kid with the gun was thinking, but how he got possession of the weapon in the first place raises another host of questions. Madness! Insanity!
I'm not going to go off about gun control or gun rights or any of that, especially considering what the student did was against the law anyway. But as a gun enthusiast, seeing the comments that ignorant people make about those subjects makes me even sadder, as do people who hide behind their computers, cast dispersions on people of other races, and say the cruelest things imaginable. It's not my place to tell people what to say or what to think, but I am happy to know that I don't have to be one of those people.
I wish the two victims a speedy recovery and pray that they will get help for the emotional scars they will have.
If you are a gun owner, please, please, PLEASE be careful where you leave it if you have kids! Your kid may be responsible, but why take the chance?
1 comment:
I saw that on the news (here in Tokyo!!) and was wondering how that was possible... at least the "accidental discharge" part. But really, really tragic for the kids' families. It makes me feel old, when I think about how when I was in high school, this was never a problem I had to deal with... *sigh* Like life isn't difficult enough for high schoolers, without having to worry about being shot.
Anyway, I hope the two kids recover fully and quickly.
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