Guns in Schools

[Resident Smart Ass]

In light of the news thread about bulletproof backpacks, i created a poll.

Who should we hold responsible, if any, for kids bringing guns to school and/or going on a rampage like Columbine and Virginia Tech?

[TheeBadOne]

It really depends on the totality of each situation. The ultimate responibility lies with the murderous scum that pull the triggers.

[nsb22]

I agree that the kid should be responsible, but at the same time the parents and teachers should recognize that something isn't right with the kid and try to help

[armsmaster270]

In the case of children, the children and parents should be responsible. But older children and young adults they should take it in the shorts by themselves.

[OXCOPS]

Kids should be held responsible for their actions because their parents SHOULD have taught them the values of wrong and right. If the parents didn't, and the kids get busted for doing something this stupid, then the kids need to be locked up. When they are, they are away from their dipshit parents, who cannot infect them with any further idiocy.

[Just KC]

I would have voted both parents and kids..but picked parents since only can choose one. I think a lot depends on age of child......but I know for my home......I know what is in my childs backpack the moment they leave this house in the morning and we go through it everyday when they come home. Not a whole lot of privacy in this house......as long as my kids live in my home, i can go through their rooms, belongings, vehicles, etc. Cuz if they have nothing to hide, it ain't no big deal for me to do it.

[BEK]

Where is the vote for liberals. I would vote liberals would be to blame and i am serious

[mack]

In the case of children, the children and parents should be responsible. But older children and young adults they should take it in the shorts by themselves.

I have to agree with armsmaster on this one, the poll is a little too generalized. If you could narrow the age group a bit it would make this poll easier to answer

[Buttercup]

I would have chosen both parents and children, but I chose the children themselves. I think it does depend on the ages of the children involved.

[BigDawg]

I think its a combination of above, plus a tad bit of society also. By that I mean;

alot of the burden is on the children, regardless of their age. But that includes how they were brought up by their parents (morals, values, and ethics), the school (right and wrong), and society(blame and consequences for actions). We now have this society that hands the blame for everything off on someone else, its NEVER the perps fault.

Because of this view I didnt vote.

[Jenna]

I don't think the parents and teachers can be blamed unless they did something specific and abusive to warp the kids who go on rampages. But often these kids who massacre their classmates come from apparently healthy families and have siblings who became fine upstanding massacre-free citizens. And what can a teacher do to prevent rampages, short of suspending every student who isn't a sweet friendly social butterfly? Prior to the rampages, these rampagers seemed no more dangerous than any other of their many non-rampaging dead-eyed delinquent classmates.

[lewisipso]

I don't think the parents and teachers can be blamed unless they did something specific and abusive to warp the kids who go on rampages. But often these kids who massacre their classmates come from apparently healthy families and have siblings who became fine upstanding massacre-free citizens. And what can a teacher do to prevent rampages, short of suspending every student who isn't a sweet friendly social butterfly? Most of these rampagers seemed no more dangerous than their many non-rampaging dead-eyed delinquent counterparts prior to the rampages.

Actually, here's how the blame game could be played.
Parents. First no one knows how a family is until the investigation. However, parents that I, and most cops I would imagine, run into have little, no, or corruptable contact with their children. Abuse comes in many forms. Parents that ignore the minor problems that become big problems, I feel, are a real part of the overall problem. A child that suffers from abuse may not ever act out in a criminal manner. Some however, do. Some hold on to that action until later in life.

Kids. Children/suspects (adult or not) that suffer from emotional problems, bullies, or family abuse are children/suspects that may act out without intervention. Unless there is some form of severe mental issues going on I still stand by "we are who we choose to be". If the child/suspect acts on that emotion knowing it is incorrect that child/suspect should be blamed without hesitation.

Teachers. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the reference to teachers also includes school administration. I know that where I handle calls the same kids that cause trouble last year are the same kids causing trouble this year. It can't be that different elsewhere, with problem kids or other similar problems. The problem is that the administration, teachers, and even the school board do not do enough about it. I have asked teachers in my area if they even try to investigate bullies, fights etc, and they say no. It's there belief this law enforcements job and they do no want to be involved fearing retilation. They turn a blind eye to the problem in exchange for numbers. If you admit there are problems at your school or university people may boycott it and they lose money. In the public sector admitting problems makes your area less attractive to potential residents which means a better tax base.
This problem, like most, will never be cured. However it can be better managed. I voted for all of the above.

[Illiy]

I would have chosen both parents and children, but I chose the children themselves. I think it does depend on the ages of the children involved.

This is the closest to what I think... Age is an important factor...

Kids/Parents

[Tuff]

How about Everybody, the decline in civility is everbodys problem...

Kid brings gun to school...

Maybe Parents missed something going wrong, The teacher missed all the signs also, heck the kids friends noticed something but hey its my friend, I dont want to tell on him...And almost coming in last the dumb kid , he had a brain and failed to use it in a responsible manner...and last but not least, Society, it is after all everybodys fault for letting our once great Nation fall into such a mess and not wanting to take responsiblity for it....

Ok, Off my soap box...

[Ianl6]

I voted all the above as i think if everyone works together it might save some innocent childrens lives.

[jmur5074]

Ok, I didn't read through the entire thread, so if someone already said this, forgive me.

Hypothetical - Let's say a 16 yr old kid takes his daddies gun out of the safe under mom and dad's bed. He stole the key to the safe to get the gun. He goes to school, shoots and kills 3 students and 1 teacher.

Who will be charged with a crime?

The kid.

Not Dad. He made a reasonable effort to keep the kid away from the gun (locked it in a safe).
Not a teacher.
Not Mom.

The kid will be charged with a crime, making him the person responsible.

Go to the Bulletproof Mind by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, he'll tell you about the root of the problem.

[Hannibal]

Where is the vote for liberals. I would vote liberals would be to blame and i am serious

+1, Liberal Parents especially.

And add another check box for the Media.

[Resident Smart Ass]

+1, Liberal Parents especially.

And add another check box for the Media.

I've just added them

[mfranklin01]

i say media for making it cool for this kinda shit to happen. then the parents for not teaching the kids otherwise, the the kids for being dumb enough to believe the media.