Steve, fair enough -- I wasn't talking about live ammo, and didn't realize you were. Empty shells are not a problem whatsoever though.
Hi Walter,
Walter Joyce wrote:Zero tolerance is zero tolerance, and it does help to limit liability.
That's true, but my main concern is about how the kids are being controlled and borderline-oppressed through these measures, which (to me) is immeasurably more important a cause than potential liability defense for the school. The entire generation is being screwed. True liberals (since that word has been brought up) should be able to appreciate the importance of this, being against oppression in general.
What is the justification for a grade school student bring guns or ammunition to school in the first place?
IMHO "justification" is not the best choice of words here... If someone brings a gun (even unloaded) or live ammo to any public place as a "toy" and brandishes it for any reason other than direct self-defense, there is clearly a problem. When it's a kid, it's a HUGE problem. But the way to deal with these problems IMO is by not "forbidding" it, but by educating people about guns, ammunition, etc. It is parents' responsibility to educate themselves and their children about guns, even if (like in my case, personally) they don't really like shooting or enjoy it as their pastime. Guns have been a part of people's lives long enough, and they are NOT going away -- so everyone needs to get off their butt and take responsibility to learn about them, instead of relying solely on law enforcement (which is usually way too late.) I realize that it won't ever happen, that it's impossible to make all parent responsible people, but neither is it possible to solve this with "zero-tolerance" crap. It does a LOT more bad than good, esp. in the long run.
And no kid who was properly educated about guns would EVER play with one casually, and would likely tell his idiot friend(s) to cut it off and or would walk away if they don't (or if he's younger/is in a minority/has no influence/etc.)
So I think the time effort and tax money would be MUCH better spent if they were directed at proper education, like field trips to a shooting range at public schools, etc. instead of suspending little girls for pencil sharpeners.
Just my humble opinion; YMMV of course.