In the wake of a tragic shooting that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed several in Tucson, Ariz., it appears that one Michigan state senator has the solution to the problem.
More guns -- and everywhere.
Sen. Mike Green, a Mayville Republican, has introduced legislation to eliminate gun-free zones in such areas as schools, hospitals, day care centers, churches and casinos. Also, it would hasten the permitting of concealed weapons permits by eliminating local gun licensing boards and allowing the Secretary of State to issue permits.
Well, as much as I favor having eight parents and three day-care aides packing pistols during story time for pre-schoolers at the neighborhood day care center, it’s an image that strikes me as a little disconcerting. That’s partly because I’ve written dozens of stories about adults who haven’t handled guns responsibly, in some cases resulting in the death of children.
Green has a different notion. He believes putting guns in daycare and schools will be a winning blow for law and order.
“The fact is, they’re more threatened now than they would be under my proposal,” Green told the Associated Press. “See, the people that are on the other side of this issue think that there are no crooks in these gun-free zones, and all they have to do is whistle and a police man will come running. That is the farthest from the truth you can find.”
While one can debate whether more guns in such places increases the danger to kids, there’s no question it’s educational. At least, children can learn about the Second Amendment and their Constitutional rights.
One prays it won’t be the last lesson they will ever learn.
