15 Year Old Male + 9mm + Ammunition In School
First, let me say that I am a Second Amendment purist, but I am also a reasonable adult. There is a reason for laws prohibiting possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor (without proper adult supervision).
Citing the La Crosse Media story:
15 Year old goes to school with a 9mm handgun and ammunition in his backpack. Another kid sees the ammo and alerts a teacher. Cops come, charge the kid with the handgun with FELONY possession of a firearm in a GFSZ (sounds like the Federal thing to me) and possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor. School authorities state they believe the kid did not intend to use the handgun or harm anyone (Columbine?). He just wanted to show it off to his friends. He is being charged as a juvenile, so if convicted, his record will be sealed. (I am surprised that a concealed weapon charge was not tacked on.)
The questions this case raises boggle the mind!
How is it that a 15 year old has possession of a 9mm handgun? Did the parents of this 15 year old not lock down the handgun, or did the kid somehow defeat the security used by the parents? If the former, this is inadequate parenting, if the latter, this is evidence that the kid knew what he was doing was wrong. (And, the media is full of stories of "zero tolerance" for drugs and weapons at schools. I cannot believe this kid did not know this.)
OK, let's say the kid does show off the 9mm to one of his friends. He may even demonstrate how to load it. Kid #2 asks to hold it and puts finger past trigger guard. BOOM ! ! !
I could go on and on, but I am sure you all get the drift. The theoretical scenarios are endless.
We can debate ad nausium whether or not the 2A covers this kid. It will be interesting to see how this story plays out (although if the charges remain in juvenile court, we will not learn). We must all realize that in the eyes of the anti-gun fanatics and perhaps in the minds of avid shooting enthusiasts, this episode is a black eye on all of us who believe in responsible firearm ownership. By way of example:
I have a 12 year old rifle student and a 9 year old pistol and rifle student. Their father (my friend) is an avid hunter and competitive shooter, but not an accredited instructor. These kids are well trained. They would not dream of touching their respective firearms until the range master / instructor gives the command. When the cease fire and show clear command is given, they immediately respond and step away from the firearms. They fully comprehend the destructive power of firearms with respect to everything from a BB gun through a high powered hunting rifle.
If I understand this forum, it is all about the right of responsible law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and to bear them in the manner of our choosing. This incident shows lack of both the ability or willingness to abide by the law and also shows a profound lack of judgment and responsible behavior.
If anyone is taking the position that this 15 year old male may have had the right to do what he did, I implore you to reconsider and think of the message that sends to the newbies to this forum.
Thank you for tolerating this rant.
