The Senate passed a Juvenile Crime Bill that contains some modest gun curbs. But to make this truly the beginning of the end for the permissive gun culture, we need to hold adults criminally responsible if a child gains access to a loaded firearm that has not been properly stored and uses it in the commission of crime. We need to make it a felony under federal law for anyone to sell a gun to a minor. We need to outlaw the handing over of semi-automatic assault rifles to juveniles. We need to require child safety locks and devices be sold with new handguns purchased in the United States.
Homicide is the second leading cause of death among American youngsters.
Only one percent of the child homicides occurs in and around schools, but no one who cares about children or education takes any solace in that statistic. School should be sanctuary. A teacher's most basic instinct is to protect his or her students. Teacher Shannon Wright stepped between the boy shooters and her students in Jonesboro. Teacher Dave Sanders gave his life helping his students reach safety in Littleton.