The USFG should prohibit children from possessing rifles

"This is a tragedy. " Agreed. 2. "This is the mother's fault. " Agreed. 3. "The mother should have taught her child that guns can be dangerous when handled improperly. .. " This is why guns should only be fired under strict adult supervision, ideally within a controlled environment. Certainly, firearms should never be left within reach of children at home. 4. "No action should be taken against the mother. .. " I am sure that this woman's defence lawyers would argue that point and, if she shows remorse, the judge may hand down a non-custodial sentence. That is if she was going to court, but she isn't. 5. "Nine children are killed by guns every day in America. .. "" These are fair points and it's true that guns don't kill people, people kill people, but guns do make it easier for people to kill people. Similarly, on an international level, nuclear weapons make it easier for governments to kill people, which is why we are all so concerned about rogue states such as North Korea and Iran developing the technology to deliver nuclear devices on ballistic missiles. With regard to rifles, certain adults are not deemed responsible enough to own a rifle: me, for example, because I am not a US Citizen; but it's no problem for kids to possess one. Indeed, the weapon used in the shooting of the little girl as a Crickett, a light-weight .22 calibre rifle, which comes in bright colours like toys and is marketed to children with great success: they sell 60 thousand of them a year. [1} Cars probably kill more kids than guns, that may be true, but that's why we don't let children drive. 6. "Do not blame the government. .. " Nine a day adds up over a year: we are looking at thousands of kids killed or injured in accidental shootings. It is the government's responsibility to do everything in their power to protect its citizens from coming to unnecessary harm. 7. "Guns are guns, not weapons. .. ." Firearms are designed to kill either animals or humans, though air-rifles can be used for target shooting, I don't see what other use they could be put to, apart from perhaps a bottle-opener if you fancy a beer and have nothing else to open the bottle wth. 8. "Maybe five is too young, but minors do have reason to carry a gun. Protection. " All I can say is that children that need to carry guns for protection must live in really tough neighbourhoods. But if all the kids were deprived of guns those neighbourhoods would become safer places. 9. "The mother did not just hand the boy the gun and say go play with it. .. " "Really? Parents buy their kids guns so that they can go about shooting cute little squirrels that never do anybody any harm? That's not very nice, is it boys and girls? And I bet young readers of Beatrix Potter's children's books would be shocked and upset to learn that Squirrel Nutkin"s American cousins are being slaughtered for fun by school kids there. [2] 10. "You seem to be making it apparent that the child just did not like his sister and wanted her dead. This was a tragic accident. .. " We just don't know. The little boy probably said it was an accident but maybe his baby sister irritated him in some way? Perhaps she wouldn"t let him play with one of her toys or she pulled his hair? We will only get a better idea if the boy starts shooting pets or other children as he grows up - if he's allowed to keep his gun there"s always the danger that he will misuse it again. Thank you. [1] . http://abclocal.go.com... [2] . http://www.best-childrens-books.com...