CA - Too young for a gun (Letter)

[FWiedner]

Too young for a gun

Editor, Index-Tribune:

I live in the Newcomb-Fryer Creek area. On Saturday, March 26, about 4 p.m., I noticed from my kitchen window, a midsized bicycle lying on the curb. I then saw a young boy about 9 to 10 years old kneeling on the curb. I went outside and asked him if he was OK.

He said "Yes." I also asked if he had fallen off his bicycle and hurt himself. He did not answer but was opening a cardboard box on the grass median. I came inside. About a half-hour later, I went outside to water some of my plants and saw a yellow box on the ground where the boy had been sitting. I picked it up and the box was labeled "KWC Air Hobby Gun - BB Pellets CAL. 6MM - 100 pieces." (I have the box.)

I am assuming that the cardboard box contained the gun that the BB pellets were intended for. This child is far too young to be provided with this type of firearm and ammunition. He will be shooting birds, which I feed, the neighborhood cats, squirrels or other targets in the area. I also assume the child lives in the neighborhood and goes to one of our local schools. His parents should be called to task for encouraging this kind of violence at such a young age. Also, he needs to be taught to clean up his trash rather than leave it for others to do.

Alice M. Brigaerts

http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2005/04/08/news/editorial_and_letters/letter04.txt

*FW Note:  Note that this kind lady forms her recommended policy not on what the boy has done, but on what she imagines that he will do.  Note also, that without even seeing the boy with a "gun" or seeing what he intends to do with it, she decides that she has a better idea than his parents as to how to raise the child and what values to instill for his upbringing.

Here, we see the entire liberal philosophy exposed, in a single letter from the neighborhood busy-body.

 

[Mauser]

I'm sure this busybody would consider it "violence" to shoot at soda cans and paper targets too.  

Common sense is the most endangered resource there is.

[lgm270]

In 1995, the US Dept. of Justice issued  a report entitled Urban Delinquency and Substance Abuse 1994-95.

I heard it discussed on talk radio and the gist was that children engaged in the shooting sports were MUCH LESS LIKELY  TO BE INVOLVED IN DRUGS OR DELINQUENCY.

[Leverdude]

Aint her birds anyway.  
People oughtta mind their buisness a bit. I might be inclined to ask him not to leave his trash in front of my house but if he lived in my neighborhood he'd likely know better anyway. Doesn't sound like this womans even sure if the kid lives nearby. Probably doesn't know a single one of them. I think thats a big part of the problem our society is facing today. Decline of community so to speak. When I was a child I knew almost everyone on the block, wether because they ran me outta their yard or because they asked me over. Everyone knew me too & if I did wrong they knew where I lived & my parents number.
If I was sitting on the curb with a BBgun my dad might have gotten a call, or he might not have but it wouldnt have been a big deal.

I try & keep it like this on my street now but its not real easy. I let the kids play here with mine. I bring my boy with me to cut old Mrs Howwels lawn & shovel her walks in winter & alot of other little things that to be honest, make me feel good to do. As we do this stuff tho I notice that we're alone, noone elses kid cuts grass or shovels snow. Nobody comes out to help sweep the winter sand & crap off the road. Nobody has neighborhood parties, Nobody even knows who anybody else is. Its sad really & then they wonder how drugs & gangs get into neighborhoods. Its cuz they let them.

I remember once the kid across the road, he's about 12, was sledding down the road as we trecked by on the way to Mrs Howwels house & he asked where we were going. My son told him & he asked why we were doing that. Brendan told him without even thinking "Because she cant do it". Well Tod didn't seem to get it & said that aint his problem as she dont do nuthing for him. I was a little dissapointed as I like the kid but it gave me a chance to explain to my kid why its important to help people even if they havent anything to offer. I needent have wasted my breath tho, he knows why we do it. Heck, when we're done we go to my fathers & do the same thing there. The boy likes helping people & I'm proud of that myself.
Besides, that little old lady who cant do anything for anyone got my son a new bicycle last summer for his birthday.  :grin: