May 7, 1999

Columbine: "Gun Control" is Not the Issue!

Ever since the massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton Colorado, there has been a focus on why it happened and how can we prevent it from happening again. There probably is no single reason for why it happened. Many groups and individuals failed to pay attention. Teachers, students, parents, authorities, and the media all bear some responsibility. The responsibility was communal. There is too much violence depicted in the media. It is too easy to get guns. There is too little attention paid to alternative clothing. There is a failure to distinguish between normal rebellious behavior and serious antisocial acting out. These are not easily resolvable. For example, "gun control" legislation has been the most proposed solution since this massacre. However, there is a bizarre reality, which no one appears to have observed. The bombing of the federalBuilding in Oklahoma resulted in the loss of 168 lives. As far as we know, there were no guns used. This is not to say that we should not pursue "gun control" legislation but to realize that this is by no means a solution. Had they not had guns the devastation could have been unimaginable. Again this is not meant to be a justification for guns but an observation that needs to be addressed. Guns are more controllable than bombs. The April 26, 1999 OpEd page of The New York Times had an article entitled "A Gap in the Curriculum" that addressed the issues that are suggested here. It is one of the most rational, realistic and intelligent responses that we have seen to the Littleton Colorado massacre. James Q. Wilson, an emeritus professor at UCLA authored the article. Wilson addresses the issues of the need for public schools to uphold the principles of good citizenship, more accountability for parents, and requiring students to conform to dress codes among other things. There will be many articles, many studies, and many observations about the Littleton Colorado Columbine High School massacre. "Gun control" legislation may well be a step in the right direction but it is not a solution and not really a priority. "Gun control" has been talked about and politicized to the point that one has the impression that had we had stronger "gun control" laws, the massacre would not have taken place. That simply is not the case. Let’s get "real," we really can’t legislate behavior. James C. Benerofe Editorial # 17 May 7, 1999