Originally appeared in Newsletter Vol. 5, No. 2, Spring 1999

This time in an upscale Denver suburb. Two 11th grade students used an array of weapons in a well-planned attack on fellow students: assault weapons, handguns and 30 explosive devices. The talley since 1996: there have been 9 "school incidents" killing 35 people, mostly children and wounding up to 62.

We will hear the usual arguments that the perpetrators were disturbed youngsters; that these are isolated incidents; that guns don't kill, people do; and that we must protect our 2nd Amendment rights.

Events such as this brought immediate and significant action in the Scotland and Australian massacres in previous years. By contrast, in the United States there is an unwillingness to confront the real problems. Instead, we are offered "solutions" such as: making schools safe by installing metal detectors, having armed guards (there was one at Littleton) or arming the teachers (advises John Lott -- see article, "Who is John Lott?" on page 4). However, America's love affair with guns is killing her children and continues to put them at risk on a daily basis.

In the wake of the tragedy, the NRA scaled back its annual convention held in Denver the last week of April. Colorado is considered NRA territory and it has lobbied for three major bills in the state legislature: a strong state preemption law, a concealed weapons law and a law prohibiting local officials from suing gun manufacturers. These bills have been tabled by State Rep. McPherson who said, "Now is just not the time to debate these bills."

Response from two presidential candidates: George W. Bush offered the opinion that love not gun control is the best way to prevent shooting sprees like the one in Colorado. Dan Quayle said, "I hope we don't try to use this as an excuse to go and take away guns."

We suggest the explosive proliferation of guns and the incredible amount of media violence children of all ages are exposed to daily are critical issues our nation must face.

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""Juvies" Documentary"

"2.6 Million Children Have Easy Access to Guns in Their Homes"

"America's Silent Tragedy: The Needless Loss of Young Lives to Gun Violence"

"Teen Gun Deaths"