June  1995	Women & Guns

Parting Shots ...

	My children go to the local schools, swim at the neighborhood
pool and rollerblade on the playground. Yes, I know it's dangerous. I
finally gave in, but they wear helmets and other protective gear.

	I have been active in my children's schools working on
everything from the annual carnival to school spirit and the Memory
Book.

	Early this year, a school administrator said to me, "Oh, I
didn't know that's who you are," after an article about guns had
appeared in our local newspaper. Since it was 7:30 a.m., it took a
moment for his comment to register.  I responded, "I am the same
person who was here yesterday."

	During the course of this school year one child has been told
by a teacher to "close" her ears while the teacher made anti-gun
statements. The teacher told me he didn't like my politics. But, it's
okay_I have other places to go before work.

	Monday, my 11 year old called me after school_as usual. The
life of a pre-teen is filled with endless small crisises_middle
schoolers are definitely high maintenance. In the course of our "how
was your day" conversation, Daughter SMG told me that one of her class
mates was planning on selling a gun to another student. In fact, the
purchaser was her seat-mate.

	As a mother, I freaked. As a gun rights supporter, I went into
overdrive.

	Under RCW (Revised Code of Washington) 9.41.280, it is a gross
misdemeanor for any person to possess a dangerous weapon on school
facilities. There are few exceptions; for example: in one's vehicle
only while transporting a student if the individual has a Concealed
Carry permit, any law enforcement officer, school sanctioned
demonstrations or military activities. The penalty is expulsion from
state's public schools, notification of parents and police. Nasty, as
SMG, says.

	I contacted the previously mentioned school administrator who
was surprised to learn that I, that person in the newspaper article,
found the transfer of a weapon by juveniles to be a problem. Upon
investigation, it was determined that the transaction was known to the
parents of the students. It involved an eraser-shooting air pistol,
$11, and an exchange after school. No problem. To summarize, on
Tuesday, the seat-mate, "Wannabe Cool" purchased the eraser pistol
from "Maybe in Trouble 2."

	When I dropped SMG off at school the next morning, the
G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) officer was at
school with his freshly painted psychedelic van. And so was "Wannabe"
with the newly acquired "cool guy thing" in his backpack.

	"Wannabe" was a hit in the lunchroom with his treasure and
30-40 students got in on the fun. That night at the school skating
party, his new acquisition was the talk of the evening.

	I know children complain that their parents never listen.
Well, "Wannabe" and "Maybe" can tell you that this is not true. When
SMG came home that night I listened, and so did a lot of other
parents.

	I retrieved an air rifle and told SMG to hold it. I then gave
her an air pistol. "These are firearms," I explained. "They must be
treated like any other firearm. They are not toys." I am not a goody
two shoes, but this was serious and I was going to treat it as such.

	By Wednesday afternoon, there was an empty seat next to SMG.
"Maybe" was on probation and so were some others of the "cool" group.
There were threats flying between students that make a pit bull seem
tame.

	 Thursday morning, I decided it was time for some intelligence
gathering. Wow, am I naive some times. The students were gathered
outside the classroom doors. There was a loud buzz of "did you
hears"_"can you believe it?" and the beat of rap_ "he's so cool, he
brought a gun to school."

	I spoke with the teacher who had warned SMG to shut her ears.
He had been "freaked" that I could support individual firearms'
ownership. He was now freaked IT had been in HIS classroom. He was
more freaked than when "Tough Boy" knocked out "Rough Guy's" four
front teeth while he was teaching them Language Arts. I'll admit, I've
been freaked since then.

	"Wannabe" is not a bad kid. SMG says he's her friend. He is, I
am told, A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) and hyperactive. He is a
good student who had never been in the principal's office before this
incident. He has a two year old nephew and a sister troubled by
substance abuse.

	But he is not cool. He did a stupid thing and he is in big
trouble. And he should be! He has been expelled from school. He may be
permanently expelled. Don't worry, under state law, a tutor will be
provided, at no expense, through high school to him.

	Sometimes, SMG is a "wannabe." Lots of kids are potential
"wannabes." Wannabe cool, wannabe accepted, wannabe liked.

	I heave a sigh of relief that it was not my child. I also
realize that the potential for stupidity is always there_in all of us.

	I also realize that the 20,000 gun laws, including those in
RCW Title 9, didn't deter "Wannabe." Clinton's Crime Bill and midnight
basketball didn't deter him either.

	This has been a long week. And it's a scary place out there.

	As a parent, I have to stand firm in my beliefs and as a gun
rights supporter, I must be doubly vigilant.

Personal Parting Shots ...

AJG, SMG, AHG and AMG2 please use your heads. GREAT officers and
pitbull owners-send comments to jhvg@saf.org.