IS A DECREASE IN HANDGUN VIOLENCE ON THE WAY?

IS A DECREASE IN HANDGUN VIOLENCE ON THE WAY?

Well, I am so pleased to report that the concerned citizens of our southern neighbour, the USA, have finally started to take some significant steps to deal with their gun problems. At least two states, Pennsylvania and Virginia, have recently passed legislation that will, without a doubt, decrease the incidents of gun violence in the future. I doff my hat for their determination to fight the heavy-hand of the NRA and attempt to let some common sense and intelligence prevail!

Many school districts are taking the problem of gun safety seriously. The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District in Pennsylvania has instituted a threat assessment policy to deal with any potential weapons’ offenses. Consequently, when a six-year-old kindergarten student pointed her finger at her teacher and declared, “I shoot you”, the school, under district policy, jumped instantly into action and called the police. Although the little Down Syndrome girl must have appeared to be totally innocent of any serious threat, the district was not taking any chances. In order to minimize weapon’s offenses by adults in later life, it is important to start by teaching children the dangers of frivolous threats early!

But this is not an isolated incident. A 12-year-old Kansas girl formed a gun with her fingers, pointed it at four of her classmates and then turned the pretend weapon toward herself. Police hauled her out of school in handcuffs, arrested her and charged the child with a felony for threatening. The time for fooling around is over!

Other recent examples include: one school district punished a student for chewing a Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun and pointing it at other students. That incident was considered serious enough that the Florida legislature even passed a bill specifically protecting the act of "brandishing a partially consumed pastry or other food item to simulate a firearm or weapon.” Another seven-year-old was suspended for bringing a "weapon" - a pen that "buzzed" when touched - to school. In Virginia, a school district suspended a boy for playing with a toy gun near a bus stop – which happened to be in his own front yard. In Pennsylvania, a 5-year-old was suspended for making “terroristic threats” with a bubble gun. Another elementary student was suspended for taking a hand-drawn picture of a bomb - a big black circle with a lit fuse like in the Wile E. Coyote cartoons - to school with him.

It is heartwarming to see so many schools and school districts taking the lead in this attempt to reduce the amount of gun violence in the country. The teachers, principals, and school districts that are keeping a tight reign on finger-pointing six-year-olds should serve as a model for us all.

The Virginia State legislature is also worthy of some praise for its recently passed new gun legislation. The bills now headed for the full Senate would require background checks on all firearms purchases, allow law enforcement to temporarily remove guns from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others, and my particular favourite new law - capping handgun purchases at one per month. When an unstable individual or gang member or felon can only pick up one lethal handgun a month, we know we are on the right track.

So, for the many who have been lamenting the increase in gun violence, there is now a dim light at the end of the tunnel as vigilant teachers and clear-thinking politicians take up the cause! All I can do is rejoice and shout Hallelujah!