We need to enforce gun laws we have
This is in reference to your editorial that appeared in the Friday, May 17 edition of the Southern Standard.
First, let me agree with you that a tragedy was avoided. The system worked as it was intended. The school personnel did their jobs. Mr. Troy Jones should be commended for teaching gun safety at his school and the young boy who found the weapon on the school grounds should be commended for his actions in reporting the gun.
We should not hysterically call for stricter gun laws when it is apparent the existing law governing this incident was not followed. Mr. Sweet knew better than to wear his sidearm on the school grounds.
The modifications to the Second Amendment you mention are already in force in the ordinance banning weapons from school property. If Mr. Sweet had left his weapon secured in his vehicle, this incident would have never taken place. It is not the law that needs changing; it is the careless actions of individuals that need changing.
The first segment of your article could very well have been taken from an NRA safety manual. The organization stresses that children and guns do not mix and gun safety should be taught to school teachers and children alike.
It is your statement condemning the “lax” gun laws with which I take issue. The laws are there. They just weren’t followed. Guess what? Pass more laws and some people won’t follow them either.
There was no ill intent in Mr. Sweet and he is not a menace to society. His actions are still a cause for serious concern.
Most law enforcement officers now carry security holsters that retain their weapons so something like this doesn’t happen. If Mr. Sweet has a handgun carry permit, he underwent a rigorous gun safety course to get that permit. It is a shame he forgot what he learned.
The second half of your editorial is where you lost your journalistic objectivity. You have confused a national media obsession with violence with a careless mistake of a father playing with his little girl.
There was no violence here. There was a potential for accident, but no malice, no drugs, and no violent crime.
Let’s not portray this man as a violent felon and let’s not demonize the vast majority of law-abiding, gun-owning American citizens just to push your own political agenda.
Sincerely,
Steve Vandagriff
453 Shady Grove Road
Morrison