Gun owners and enthusiasts talk a lot about their rights to defend themselves and their rights to enjoy their guns in a recreational manner. But what about the right of my children to attend school without fear that they could be shot? What about my right as a parent to send my children off to school with a measure of peace of mind that they will come home again?
The gun lobby's response to the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. is to arm teachers as a way to ensure childrens' safety in the classroom. I haven't seen any polls on this yet. But I am willing to bet that mothers with children in school are not going to feel better about their children sitting in a classroom with a loaded firearm at the ready.
Clearly, as the N.R.A. has pointed out, this country must make mental health treatment a priority as a public health issue. At the same time, however, it also must work toward reducing the number of semi automatic guns like the one used in Newtown. A military-style gun like the Bushmaster is not necessary for self-defense or hunting. As NRA President David Keene said on CNN yesterday, such a gun is popular for people who shoot guns as a hobby.
This petition is not about attacking the Second Amendment. It is about restoring some sanity to this debate. I understand that gun owners have rights. But I also have rights. And so do my children. As long as the U.S. is still a democracy, all of those rights must be given equal weight.
